Dictionary.com

bovver

[ bov-er ]
/ ˈbɒv ər /
Save This Word!
noun British Slang.
troublemaking or rowdiness by street gang youths.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bovver

1965–70; representing Cockney pronunciation of bother (noun), probably originally as a euphemism

Words nearby bovver

bovine, bovine growth hormone, bovine somatotrophin, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Bovril, bovver, bovver boots, bow, bow and scrape, bow back, Bow bells
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bovver in a sentence

  • "I don't bovver," he said, with a cross look in the direction of his brother and sister Rochesters.

    The Golden Scarecrow|Hugh Walpole

  • I want to show the presents Mr. Bovver has sent us from New York—one for each of us.

    Medoline Selwyn's Work|Mrs. J. J. Colter

British Dictionary definitions for bovver

bovver
/ (ˈbɒvə) /
noun
British slang
  1. rowdiness, esp caused by gangs of teenage youths
  2. (as modifier)a bovver boy

Word Origin for bovver

C20: slang pronunciation of bother
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
FEEDBACK