bosom
/ˈbʊzəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbʊzəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbu̇-zəm also ˈbü-/ (ame, mw)
bosom — noun
- bosomsingular
- bosomsplural
1. either soft breast on the front of an adult woman's body, where milk can be prod
either soft breast on the front of an adult woman's body, where milk can be produced for a baby.
The nurse placed a warm cloth over Jessica's swollen bosom.
literary use: bosom = woman's breast
In the old novel, the baby slept against his mother's bosom.
The seamstress pinned lace across the bride's bosom before the ceremony.
The baby turned its head toward Imani's bosom when it started crying.
文法句型
a bosom
against someone's bosom
to someone's bosom
用法筆記
Now mainly literary, old-fashioned, or gently euphemistic. Distinguish this sense from noun/2, which refers more broadly to the chest or inner feelings.
常見錯誤
2. the front of the upper chest, especially when people use it to talk about deep f
the front of the upper chest, especially when people use it to talk about deep feelings or hidden thoughts.
Cyrus clutched the medal to his bosom as the crowd cheered.
phrase: hold something to one's bosom
A deep sigh rose from Sofia's bosom after the long meeting ended.
Tamar hid the family secret in her bosom for many years.
The frightened child buried his face against his father's bosom.
文法句型
to one's bosom
against someone's bosom
in one's bosom
用法筆記
Often appears in literary phrases such as 'to one's bosom' or 'in his bosom'. Distinguish it from noun/1 for a woman's breast and noun/4 for emotional shelter or belonging.
常見錯誤
3. the area at the front of clothing that sits over the chest.
the area at the front of clothing that sits over the chest.
A silver pin shone on the bosom of her dark blue dress.
bosom of a dress = front chest section
The tailor widened the bosom so the shirt would not pull.
Rain left a dark mark across the bosom of his coat.
Renata stitched small pearls along the bosom of the wedding gown.
- bodice
used for the fitted upper part of a dress, especially women's clothing
- front
plain modern word, though less precise about the chest area
- chest panel
more technical and descriptive than this older term
文法句型
the bosom of a dress
shirt bosom
用法筆記
Usually appears in older clothing descriptions or in careful formal writing. In everyday modern English, speakers more often say 'front', 'chest', or 'bodice'.
4. a relationship or place where someone feels held, loved, and protected.
a relationship or place where someone feels held, loved, and protected.
After years abroad, Kabir returned to the bosom of his family.
fixed phrase: the bosom of the family
The orphan grew up safely within the bosom of the village.
After the hard winter, Sirin longed for the bosom of home.
The refugees were welcomed into the bosom of the town.
文法句型
the bosom of the family
into the bosom of
用法筆記
Mostly literary and usually found in phrases like 'the bosom of the family' or 'the bosom of the Church'. It suggests emotional shelter rather than a physical place.
bosom — verb
- bosompresent simple I / you / we / they
- bosoms3rd person singular
- bosoming-ing form
- bosomedpast simple
1. to pull someone close in your arms in an affectionate or comforting way.
to pull someone close in your arms in an affectionate or comforting way.
The grandmother bosomed the crying boy until his breathing slowed.
literary verb: bosom + person
At the station, Beatrix bosomed her sister after the long delay.
The queen bosomed the rescued child before speaking to the crowd.
Hao bosomed the lost puppy while the vet prepared a blanket.
文法句型
bosom + object (person)
用法筆記
Strongly literary or old-fashioned. Modern everyday English usually says 'hug' or 'hold close' for this action.
2. to tuck something inside your clothing against your chest, often so that it stay
to tuck something inside your clothing against your chest, often so that it stays hidden.
The nurse bosomed the note under her apron before leaving.
bosom + object = tuck against chest
Élise bosomed the ring quickly when strangers entered the room.
The girl bosomed the warm eggs to keep them from breaking.
During the search, Ife bosomed the key inside her coat.
文法句型
bosom + object (thing)
bosom + object + inside/under + clothing
用法筆記
Also literary and rare in modern use. It usually means hiding something at the chest inside clothing, not simply carrying it in the hands.
bosom — adjective
- bosompositive
- more bosomcomparative
- most bosomsuperlative
1. describes a friendship or relationship that is extremely close and full of trust
describes a friendship or relationship that is extremely close and full of trust.
Élise has been my bosom friend since we shared a desk.
bosom friend = extremely close friend
Only Cyrus's bosom companions knew why he left the band.
After the vote, the minister spoke first to her bosom advisers.
Ife and Kabir exchanged a look only bosom friends would understand.
- intimate
close in meaning, though often broader and more modern
- close
the everyday word without the old-fashioned tone
- inseparable
emphasises constant closeness more than trust or privacy
文法句型
bosom friend
bosom adviser
bosom companion
用法筆記
Almost always comes before a noun, especially in the fixed phrase 'bosom friend'. It sounds old-fashioned and is rarely used after 'be'.