bossa nova

[ bos-uh-noh-vuh, baw-suh ]

/ ˈbɒs ə ˈnoʊ və, ˈbɔ sə /

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noun

jazz-influenced music of Brazilian origin, rhythmically related to the samba.

a dance performed to this music.

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Origin of bossa nova

1960–65; <Portuguese: literally, new tendency, leaning

Words nearby bossa nova

boson, Bosporus, bosquet, boss, bossage, bossa nova, boss around, bossboy, boss cocky, bossdom, bosset

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bossa nova in a sentence

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia—It's amazing what some fresh Nova Scotia air can do.
Politics End In Halifax As Democratic and GOP Senators Seek Common Ground on National Security|Tim Mak|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today, at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador—in the steamy northeastern coast of Brazil—we saw the Dutch Reconquista.
Dutch Treat: The Netherlands Sinks Spain In World Cup 2014|Tunku Varadarajan|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The couple will visit Pictou County for an event to celebrate Celtic heritage in Nova Scotia.
Camilla Carries On After Brother's Death||May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He wanted to be a big nova that would eclipse everything.... That was the only thing that would satisfy Andy.
We Can’t Stop Talking About Andy Warhol|Bob Colacello|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He wanted to be a big nova that would eclipse everything. . . . That was the only thing that would satisfy Andy.
Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Andy Warhol|Bob Colacello|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Quid sit Nova Francia, qualis regio, qui in e populi, quique mores.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
On that fatal day in August on which war broke out we were in Nova Scotia.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The citizens of Halifax, Nova Scotia, celebrated the 108th anniversary of the settlement of that place.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
A large number of loyalists were now leaving the States and settling in Nova Scotia.
History of Prince Edward Island|Duncan Campbell
They call the potatoes ‘Bluenoses’ just as they call the Nova Scotia folks.
Dorothy's Travels|Evelyn Raymond

British Dictionary definitions for bossa nova

bossa nova

/ (ˈbɒsə ˈnəʊvə) /

noun

a dance similar to the samba, originating in Brazil

a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word Origin for bossa nova

C20: Portuguese, literally: new voice

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