bourse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Business
Quick answer
What does “bourse” mean?
A stock exchange, particularly in Europe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stock exchange, particularly in Europe.
A financial marketplace for trading securities (stocks, bonds, etc.), or a fund for scholarships or grants.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'stock exchange' or 'exchange' is almost always used. 'Bourse' is a deliberate borrowing for a European context or to sound sophisticated. In British English, it is also rare but marginally more familiar due to European financial reporting.
Connotations
European, sophisticated, historic, or specifically French.
Frequency
Extremely low in everyday speech in both varieties, but higher in international finance journalism and reports on European markets.
Grammar
How to Use “bourse” in a Sentence
[The/This] bourse [verb e.g., fell, rose, opened]to list on [the] boursetrading on [the] bourseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bourse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in international finance news: 'Shares on the Milan bourse dropped 2%.'
Academic
Rare, but can appear in economic history or comparative finance studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used by financial professionals and journalists when specifying a non-Anglophone European exchange.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bourse”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bourse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bourse”
- Incorrect plural: 'bourses' (correct) vs. 'bourse' for plural.
- Mispronunciation: Pronouncing it as 'bow-rs' (like 'bow tie') instead of 'boor-s'.
- Overuse in contexts where 'stock market' is perfectly sufficient.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal term used almost exclusively in the context of European finance or specific scholarship funds.
It would be unusual and potentially confusing. 'Bourse' strongly connotes European exchanges. Use 'stock exchange' or 'NYSE' for American markets.
There is no fundamental difference in meaning. 'Bourse' is simply the French-derived word for 'exchange' and is used as a proper noun (Paris Bourse) or as a stylistic choice to specify a European context.
Primarily, yes. However, in academic or formal contexts, it can also mean a fund or treasury for grants or scholarships, though this usage is even rarer.
A stock exchange, particularly in Europe.
Bourse is usually formal/business in register.
Bourse: in British English it is pronounced /bʊəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /bʊrs/ or /bɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'purse' for money; a 'bourse' is like a giant public purse where company shares are traded. Both words share the 'urse' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARKET IS A CONTAINER (for value and risk).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'bourse' MOST appropriately used?