bowie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal (knife sense); Proper noun (name/place sense)
Quick answer
What does “bowie” mean?
A type of large sheath knife with a clipped point, historically associated with the American frontier.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of large sheath knife with a clipped point, historically associated with the American frontier.
A surname, most famously referring to David Bowie (musician); also used in proper nouns like Bowie, Maryland.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'bowie' is almost exclusively recognized as a surname (David Bowie). In the US, it can also refer to the historical knife and various place names.
Connotations
UK: Primarily musical/cultural connotations. US: Can have historical/frontier connotations alongside musical ones.
Frequency
Far more common in US English when referring to the knife or place names.
Grammar
How to Use “bowie” in a Sentence
Proper noun (no valency)Common noun: wield a bowie, carry a bowieVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in entertainment (music business referencing David Bowie's estate).
Academic
Found in historical studies (American frontier, knife-making) or cultural studies (musicology).
Everyday
Mainly in reference to David Bowie or, in the US, occasionally to the knife.
Technical
In knife-making/heritage circles, specifies a particular design with a clipped point and crossguard.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bowie”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bowie”
- Misspelling as 'bowy' or 'bowiey'.
- Pronouncing it like 'bow' (as in ribbon) instead of 'bo-ee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to the proper noun (name, place), yes. When referring to the knife as a common noun, it is often lowercase (e.g., a bowie knife), though 'Bowie knife' is also common.
James 'Jim' Bowie (1796–1836) was a 19th-century American pioneer and soldier who died at the Battle of the Alamo. The bowie knife is named after him.
It is pronounced /ˈboʊi/ in American English (like 'Bo' followed by 'ee'). In British English, it's /ˈbəʊi/, with the first vowel closer to the 'o' in 'go'.
No, 'bowie' is not standardly used as a verb in contemporary English.
A type of large sheath knife with a clipped point, historically associated with the American frontier.
Bowie is usually informal (knife sense); proper noun (name/place sense) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BOWIE has a 'bow' in it – think of David Bowie taking a bow after a concert, or a bowie knife being used to cut a bow.
Conceptual Metaphor
The knife as a symbol of American self-reliance and frontier spirit.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common association of the word 'bowie' in British English?