bout

[ bout ]

/ baʊt /

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See synonyms for: bout / bouts on Thesaurus.com

noun

a contest or trial of strength, as of boxing.

period; session; spell: a bout of illness.

a turn at work or any action.

a going and returning across a field, as in mowing or reaping.

OTHER WORDS FOR bout

1 match, fray, encounter.

See synonyms for bout on Thesaurus.com

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ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of bout

1535–45; variant of obsolete bought bend, turn, derivative of bowbow¹; see bight

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

How to use bout in a sentence

Her bouts with cancer—all three of them—were inspiring, heartbreaking, and, most of all, real.
MTV’s Diem Brown Dies: When Reality TV Starts Getting Real|Kevin Fallon|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The first shot of his face is sort-of a peek-a-boo in between bouts of administering some, um, oral pleasure.
‘True Blood’ Star Ryan Kwanten Looks Back on Jason Stackhouse’s Craziest Scenes|Kevin Fallon|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1987, after two previous bouts of cancer, she was diagnosed with the disease again while 26 weeks pregnant.
The Mom Forced to Have a C-Section|Emily Shire|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lost in the two opposing framings of Funke are the reports that her family stated that she suffered from bouts of depression.
A College Student’s Death Is Now a Talking Point About Porn|Emily Shire|May 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Either one describes the bouts of anxiety single guys in their thirties feel about their marital status.
High Manxiety: Thirtysomething Men Are The New Neurotic Singles|Hannah Seligson|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She would not join the groups in their sports and bouts, but intoxicated with her newly conquered power, she swam out alone.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Believe me when I tell you that I never join Morley in any of his sinful doings, especially his drinking bouts.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Occasional bouts of fishing were very well in their way, but daily exercise is the necessary thing.
Reminiscences of Charles Bradlaugh|George W. Foote
I have seen several of these prize-fights and many private bouts, all with gloves.
As A Chinaman Saw Us|Anonymous
His uncle pointed out the sights, and, in the intervals of bouts of coughing, discussed town and national politics.
The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins

British Dictionary definitions for bout

bout

/ (baʊt) /

noun

a period of time spent doing something, such as drinking
a period of illness

a contest or fight, esp a boxing or wrestling match

Word Origin for bout

C16: variant of obsolete bought turn; related to German Bucht bight; see about

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

bout

OTHER WORDS FOR bout

Origin of bout

Words related to bout

How to use bout in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bout

Word Origin for bout