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• Bohemian
  Bohemian

  noun

  a native or inhabitant of Bohemia.
• bohemian
  bohemian

  A descriptive term for a stereotypical way of life for artists and intellectuals. According to the stereotype (see also stereotype), bohemians live in material poverty because they prefer their art or their learning to lesser goods; they are also unconventional in habits and dress, and sometimes in morals.

Bohemian

American  

[boh-hee-mee-uhn] / boʊˈhi mi ən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Bohemia.

2. Usually bohemian a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.

3. the Czech language, especially as spoken in Bohemia.

4. a Romani.

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adjective

1. of or relating to Bohemia, its people, or their language.

2. Usually bohemian pertaining to or characteristic of the unconventional life of a bohemian.

3. living a wandering or vagabond life.

Bohemian British  

/ bəʊˈhiːmɪən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Bohemia, esp of the old kingdom of Bohemia; a Czech

2. (often not capital) a person, esp an artist or writer, who lives an unconventional life

3. the Czech language

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Bohemia, its people, or their language

2. unconventional in appearance, behaviour, etc

bohemian Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for a stereotypical way of life for artists and intellectuals. According to the stereotype (see also stereotype), bohemians live in material poverty because they prefer their art or their learning to lesser goods; they are also unconventional in habits and dress, and sometimes in morals.

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Other Word Forms

• Bohemianism
  noun
• anti-Bohemian
  adjective
• pro-Bohemian
  adjective
• pseudo-Bohemian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Bohemian

First recorded in 1570–80; Bohemi(a) + -an

Explanation

An artist who's famous for always being barefoot, or a musician who shares an apartment with her band members and four cats might be described as bohemian — that is, living an unconventional, artistic lifestyle. In the 19th century, Roma people living in France were referred to as Bohémiens because of a mistaken belief that they came from the middle-European region then known as Bohemia. Over time, the name became attached to artists, writers, and musicians who refused to conform to mainstream society and shared an outsider status and spirit. Today, bohemian still describes someone who lives this way, but it's also a fashion style — such as pairing clogs with a floaty peasant dress.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Bohemian bohemian

What you’ll need to imagine is the Bohemian Grove, which hides in the nearby forest, serving as a haven for the rich, powerful, famous and all-male members of the Bohemian Club since the 19th century.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

On its release in April, Michael took $217m globally in its first week, overtaking previous music biopics including 2015's NWA film Straight Outta Compton and 2018's Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

The original 2015 butterfly-effect survival horror game, which featured Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek, sold millions of copies and went on to be adapted for the big screen.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

The figures’ long, elegant fingers are a distinctive feature of Bohemian Gothic art, as are the tight blond curls framing the round faces of Mary, Jesus and the angel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 26, 2025

Beethoven, though, knew his contemporary music, and particularly the groundbreaking piano music of two London-based composers, Italian Muzio Clementi and Bohemian Johann Dussek.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Finally, in 1855, he moved to Europe and became part of an exhilarating bohemian culture in Paris and vanguard art world in London.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

Low said: "Jean Bouquin's designs were extremely popular among the Saint-Tropez jet set in the 1960s – closely associated with Bardot's bohemian look and 'hippie chic'."

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

The famous 1960s-era black-and-white shot of her looking like a bohemian in sweatshirt and black pants while she holds up a sign proclaiming “HUELGA” in the grape fields of California’s Central Valley.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2026

Santa Barbara, a wealthy city that attracts celebrities, bohemian artist-types and environmental activists, has a long history of fighting to keep its small-town feel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025

She had arranged three stools in a row, while she herself jammed her rump into an ancient baby’s high chair—a bohemian touch that gave her a tennis umpire’s advantage of height.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• free spirit
• hippie
• nonconformist