bow

To bend your head or upper body forward to show respect or thank an audience.

• He bowed politely.
• The dancers bowed after their final performance.
• Should we bow when we meet the king?

How to use it: bow to someone (The actor bowed to the audience.); bow before someone (The visitors bowed before the queen.)

Common phrases: bow to someone, bow before someone, bow politely

To stop resisting and accept what someone demands.

• We will not bow to threats.
• The council bowed to demands for a new crossing.
• Why did they bow to pressure so quickly?

How to use it: bow to something (The company bowed to public pressure.)

Similar words: give in, yield, submit

Opposites: resist

Common phrases: bow to pressure, bow to demands, bow to threats

To become curved, often because something heavy presses on it.

• The old shelf began to bow.
• The wooden door bowed in the damp air.
• Will these thin boards bow under pressure?

How to use it: bow under something (The boards bowed under the weight of the boxes.)

Similar words: bend, curve

Opposites: straighten

Common phrases: bow under weight, bow outward, bow inwards

To make something curved by bending it.

• He bowed the thin strip of wood.
• The force bowed the metal frame outward.
• She bowed her head over the letter.

How to use it: bow something (The strong wind bowed the young trees.)

Similar words: bend, curve

Opposites: straighten

Common phrases: bow the wood, bow something outward, bow your head

To accept another person's opinion or decision because you believe they know better.

• I bow to your greater experience.
• She bowed to the doctor's judgment.
• We should bow to their expertise on this issue.

How to use it: bow to someone's judgment (On this question, I bow to your judgment.)

Similar words: defer

Common phrases: bow to someone, bow to experience, bow to expertise

To play a stringed instrument by moving a stick with stretched hair across its strings.

• She bowed the violin softly.
• The players bowed their instruments together.
• This passage should be bowed rather than plucked.

Common phrases: bow a violin, bow the strings, bow a note

A knot with two loops, often used to tie shoes or decorate gifts.

• She tied the ribbon in a bow.
• The gift had a red bow on top.
• Can you tie your shoelaces in bows?

Common phrases: tie a bow, ribbon bow, bow tie

A curved weapon with a tight string, used to shoot arrows.

• He shot an arrow from his bow.
• She learned to use a bow at camp.
• The hunters carried wooden bows.

Common phrases: bow and arrow, draw a bow, hunting bow