bogan

[ boh-guhn ]

/ ˈboʊ gən /

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noun Northern Maine and Canadian (chiefly Maritimes and Northern New Brunswick).

a backwater, usually narrow and tranquil.

any narrow stretch of water.

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Origin of bogan

First recorded in 1895–1900; apparently shortening of pokelogan, perhaps conflated with bog¹

Words nearby bogan

boffin, boffo, Bofors gun, bog, Bogalusa, bogan, Bogarde, bogart, Bogart, Humphrey, bog asphodel, Boğazköy

Other definitions for bogan (2 of 2)

Bogan

[ boh-gan, boh-guhn ]

/ boʊˈgæn, ˈboʊ gən /

noun

Louise, 1897–1970, U.S. poet.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use bogan in a sentence

Bogan Pride was an Australian series created by and starring Rebel Wilson.
Rebel Wilson’s 12 Funniest Moments (Video)|Kevin Fallon|October 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In the latest installment of our poetry month series, a new poem from Dana Goodyear is paired with a classic by Louise Bogan.
Catastrophe in Verse|Eliza Griswold|April 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Bogan slipped round to the backyard, and was seen bathing his battered features at the pump.
Children of the Bush|Henry Lawson
(she pointed suddenly at Bogan, who collapsed and sidled behind his mates out of the light).
Children of the Bush|Henry Lawson

One-eyed Bogan, being bailed up unexpectedly, gave her "half a caser" for a Cry, and ran away without the paper or the change.
Children of the Bush|Henry Lawson
You know you deserted all your old mates once for three months, Bogan, and it wasn't your fault.
Children of the Bush|Henry Lawson
Campbell was only a few feet from the bank, but Bogan started to strip—to make the job look as big as possible, I suppose.
Children of the Bush|Henry Lawson

British Dictionary definitions for bogan (1 of 2)

bogan¹

/ (ˈbəʊɡən) /

noun

Canadian (esp in the Maritime Provinces) a sluggish side streamAlso called: logan, pokelogan

Word Origin for bogan

of Algonquian origin

British Dictionary definitions for bogan (2 of 2)

bogan²

/ (ˈbəʊɡən) /

noun Australian informal

a fool

a hooligan

Word Origin for bogan

C20: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012