bowing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical (music), Literary
Quick answer
What does “bowing” mean?
The act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect, greeting, or submission.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect, greeting, or submission.
1. The act of bending forward, especially under pressure or weight. 2. In music, the technique of using a bow on a stringed instrument. 3. The act of yielding or submitting to authority or circumstances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The primary distinction is in the pronunciation of the verb form 'to bow' (/baʊ/ vs /boʊ/), which carries over to the gerund.
Connotations
Identical. Both associate the respectful act with formality and tradition.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in formal/ceremonial contexts (e.g., 'bowing to the Queen'). The musical sense is equally common.
Grammar
How to Use “bowing” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + bowing + [to/Before Object] (He was bowing to the audience).[Subject] + practise + bowing (She practised her bowing for hours).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bowing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ambassador is bowing to the dignitaries.
- The trees were bowing in the fierce gale.
American English
- The performer is bowing to the cheering crowd.
- The metal bracket is bowing under the weight.
adverb
British English
- He stood bowing low before the monarch. (gerund as adverb rare)
- N/A
American English
- She exited bowing gracefully. (gerund as adverb rare)
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The bowing delegate showed great deference. (rare)
- A bowing willow tree lined the path.
American English
- The bowing contestant awaited the judge's score. (rare)
- We observed the bowing steel girder with concern.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'Bowing to market pressure' (metaphorical submission).
Academic
In ethnomusicology: 'the bowing patterns of folk violinists'. In cultural studies: 'the social ritual of bowing'.
Everyday
Describing a polite gesture: 'He gave a slight bowing of his head.'
Technical
Music: 'Her spiccato bowing was impeccable.' Engineering: 'The bowing of the beam under load.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bowing”
- Misspelling as 'bowing' (from 'to bow' a ship) or 'bowing' (present participle of 'to bow').
- Using the wrong pronunciation for the context (e.g., saying /ˈboʊ.ɪŋ/ when meaning to bend).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. For the respectful gesture or bending, it's /ˈbaʊ.ɪŋ/. For the musical technique, it's /ˈboʊ.ɪŋ/ (US) or /ˈbəʊ.ɪŋ/ (UK).
Yes, frequently. E.g., 'bowing to pressure' or 'bowing to the inevitable' means yielding or submitting to something.
Bowing typically involves a deeper movement of the head and often the upper torso, conveying greater formality or respect. Nodding is a smaller, quicker up-and-down movement of the head for agreement or informal greeting.
It originates from it. To 'bow out' (of a competition, job, etc.) evokes the image of taking a final bow on stage before leaving, thus implying a formal or graceful withdrawal.
The act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect, greeting, or submission.
Bowing is usually formal, technical (music), literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bowing out (withdrawing gracefully)”
- “bowing and scraping (behaving obsequiously)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOW (ribbon) tied in a curve. BOW-ing is the action of making that curved, bent shape with your body or a violin bow.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPECT/SUBMISSION IS LOWERING ONESELF. (e.g., 'bowing to the inevitable').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you pronounce 'bowing' as /ˈboʊ.ɪŋ/?