bossa nova

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbɒsə ˈnəʊvə/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈbɑsə ˈnoʊvə, ˈbɔsə/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(bos′ə nō′və, bô′sə)



WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
bos•sa no•va /ˈbɑsə ˈnoʊvə, ˈbɔsə/USA pronunciation  n., pl. bossa no•vas. 
  1. Music and Dance[uncountable] jazz-influenced music from Brazil, related in rhythm to the samba.
  2. Music and Dance[countable] a dance performed to this music.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
bos•sa no•va  (bos′ə nō′və, bô′sə),USA pronunciation 
  1. Music and Dancejazz-influenced music of Brazilian origin, rhythmically related to the samba.
  2. Music and Dancea dance performed to this music.
  • Portuguese: literally, new tendency, leaning
  • 1960–65

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
bossa nova / ˈbɒsə ˈnəʊvə/
  1. a dance similar to the samba, originating in Brazil
  2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance
Etymology: 20th Century: Portuguese, literally: new voice
'bossa nova' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
offbeat
In Lists: Dances, more...

Forum discussions with the word(s) "bossa nova" in the title:


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