bossa nova

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

/ ˈbɒs ə ˈnoʊ və, ˈbɔ sə /

Save This Word!

noun

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

a dance performed to this music.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

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, bosselated

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

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