Dictionary.com

bugle

1
[ byoo-guhl ]
/ ˈbyu gəl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for bugle on Thesaurus.com
noun
a brass wind instrument resembling a cornet and sometimes having keys or valves, used typically for sounding military signals.
verb (used without object), bu·gled, bu·gling.
to sound a bugle.
(of bull elks) to utter a rutting call.
verb (used with object), bu·gled, bu·gling.
to call by or with a bugle: to bugle reveille.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bugle

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bugle, bugel, bewgal “wild ox, buffalo, water buffalo, drinking horn, (instrument) horn, bugle,” from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin būculus “young bull, bullock, young ox,” equivalent to bū- variant stem of bōs “cow, ox, bull” + -culus diminutive noun suffix; see origin at -cle1, cow1

OTHER WORDS FROM bugle

bugler, noun

Other definitions for bugle (2 of 3)

bugle2
[ byoo-guhl ]
/ ˈbyu gəl /
noun
ajuga.

Origin of bugle

2
First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English bugle, bugil, buygel, bewgle, from Old French, from Late Latin būgillo the name of the plant; further origin uncertain

Other definitions for bugle (3 of 3)

bugle3
[ byoo-guhl ]
/ ˈbyu gəl /
noun
Also called bugle bead . a tubular glass bead used for ornamenting dresses.
adjective
Also bu·gled . ornamented with bugles.

Origin of bugle

3
First recorded in 1570–80; of obscure origin; perhaps an extended sense of bugle1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to bugle

clarion, cornet, trumpet

How to use bugle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bugle (1 of 3)

bugle1
/ (ˈbjuːɡəl) /
noun
music a brass instrument similar to the cornet but usually without valves: used for military fanfares, signal calls, etc
verb
(intr) to play or sound (on) a bugle

Derived forms of bugle

bugler, noun

Word Origin for bugle

C14: short for bugle horn ox horn (musical instrument), from Old French bugle, from Latin būculus young bullock, from bōs ox

British Dictionary definitions for bugle (2 of 3)

bugle2
/ (ˈbjuːɡəl) /
noun
any of several Eurasian plants of the genus Ajuga, esp A. reptans, having small blue or white flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)Also called: bugleweed See also ground pine

Word Origin for bugle

C13: from Late Latin bugula, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for bugle (3 of 3)

bugle3
/ (ˈbjuːɡəl) /
noun
a tubular glass or plastic bead sewn onto clothes for decoration

Word Origin for bugle

C16: of unknown origin
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