French word

bosse

Pronunciation

IPA/bɔs/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbump

Example

Il a une bosse sur la tête.

He has a bump on his head.

Illustration for bosse (bump)

More examples

Après la chute, il s'est fait une bosse au front.

After the fall, he got a bump on his forehead.

Core concept

A rounded bump rising locally from skin or another surface.

Common phrases

  • avoir une bosse

    have a bump

  • une bosse sur la tête

    a bump on the head

  • se faire une bosse

    get a bump

Similar words

boule: A small, round swelling noticeable by touch.
bouton: A small blemish or spot that forms on the skin.

Definition in French

Renflement local et arrondi sur la peau ou sur une surface, perceptible au toucher.

Word origin

Bosse is a medieval French form of uncertain origin, possibly influenced by Germanic languages or formed expressively.

Usage tips

  • Bosse is feminine, so the usual article is une, as in une bosse sur la tête.

Other meanings

  • humpnoun
  • bulgenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • bossuhunchbackedadjective
  • bosselébumpyadjective

Word lists with this word