bolo
noun
a large, heavy, single-edged knife or machete for hacking, used in the Philippines and by the U.S. Army.
bolo
1 American
[boh-loh]
/ ˈboʊ loʊ /
noun
-
bolos
plural
bolo
2
American
[boh-loh]
/ ˈboʊ loʊ /
noun
-
bolos
plural
-
a soldier who does not meet the minimum standards of marksmanship.
-
a clumsy or incompetent soldier.
verb (used without object)
boloed,
boloing
bolo
3
American
[boh-loh]
/ ˈboʊ loʊ /
noun
BOLO
4
American
[boh-loh]
/ ˈboʊˌloʊ /
abbreviation
bolo
British
/ ˈbəʊləʊ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bolo1
First recorded in 1900–05; from Philippine Spanish; further origin uncertain
Origin of bolo2
First recorded in 1915–20; said to be after Bolo Pascha (died 1918), German agent in France during World War I
Origin of BOLO4
First recorded in 1975–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Worse, Acme is represented by John Cena’s ferocious defense attorney Buddy Crane, the former wrestler making full use of his cartoonish features: lantern jaw, perma-frown, and a bull neck thick enough for boulder-sized bolo ties.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Perhaps the most confounding person on the list is Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Coloradan who, according to the Times, would wear bolo ties and “roar… around town on a highly accessorized Harley-Davidson.”
From Slate ● Dec. 9, 2022
"More than anything my TikTok is a work tool," said Novoa, who also sells bolo through his channel.
From Reuters ● Nov. 12, 2022
Ms. Peltola appeared to be wearing a beaded bolo tie that belonged to Mr. Young, after his daughter gave it to her during the recent Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage.
From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2022
“Thanks,” he said, fiddling with the boot slider on his bolo tie and looking at the ground nervously.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
That’s 25 seasons, or over a thousand episodes that told us to always BOLO, or be on the lookout.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2023
The man reportedly fit the description of a "BOLO," which means "be on the lookout" for an individual who authorities believe might have a weapon.
From Fox News ● Nov. 4, 2021
There was a false Pasha named BOLO, Who sank in iniquity so low.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, October 17, 1917 by Various
Campbell wore his hair in a salt-and-pepper ponytail; fashioned traditional, Native American jewelry on the side; and eschewed neckties, de rigueur for Senate attire, in favor of bolos when appearing on the floor.
From Fox News ● Jul. 8, 2020
He wore bolos and flannel shirts and polyester pants.
From The New Yorker ● Jul. 30, 2018
And I did recently rip into my own grandmother for buying Thomas' English Muffins when she has a local bakery nearby making artisan Portuguese bolos — which everyone knows is better!
From Chicago Tribune ● Dec. 27, 2010
There were a few shrieks, and bolos whizzed.
From Time Magazine Archive
An early start was made, the lamps carefully trimmed and the guns, together with the bolos, collected.
From The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns by Roger Thompson Finlay
"I'd rather be boloed than tell you," he said.
From The Tracer of Lost Persons by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers
You've been boloed on outpost and gone to heaven, and you don't know it.'
From Sonnie-Boy's People by James B. (James Brendan) Connolly
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
