Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun bow

9 senses of bow

Sense 1
bow, bowknot -- (a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces)
       => knot -- (any of various fastenings formed by looping and tying a rope (or cord) upon itself or to another rope or to another object)

Sense 2
bow -- (a slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands; used in playing certain stringed instruments)
       => stick -- (an implement consisting of a length of wood; "he collected dry sticks for a campfire"; "the kid had a candied apple on a stick")

Sense 3
bow, fore, prow, stem -- (front part of a vessel or aircraft; "he pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line")
       => front -- (the side that is seen or that goes first)

Sense 4
bow -- (a weapon for shooting arrows, composed of a curved piece of resilient wood with a taut cord to propel the arrow)
       => weapon, arm, weapon system -- (any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting; "he was licensed to carry a weapon")

Sense 5
bow, arc -- (something curved in shape)
       => curve, curved shape -- (the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes)

Sense 6
bow, bowing, obeisance -- (bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting)
       => reverence -- (an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy))
       => gesture, motion -- (the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals)

Sense 7
bow, curtain call -- (an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience)
       => thanks -- (an acknowledgment of appreciation)

Sense 8
bow -- (a decorative interlacing of ribbons)
       => decoration, ornament, ornamentation -- (something used to beautify)

Sense 9
bow -- (a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments)
       => stroke -- (a single complete movement)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb bow

5 senses of bow

Sense 1
bow, bow down -- (bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head; "He bowed before the King"; "She bowed her head in shame")
       => gesticulate, gesture, motion -- (show, express or direct through movement; "He gestured his desire to leave")

Sense 2
submit, bow, defer, accede, give in -- (yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to the military pressure")
       => yield, give in, succumb, knuckle under, buckle under -- (consent reluctantly)

Sense 3
bow -- (bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King")
       => change posture -- (undergo a change in bodily posture)
          Phrasal Verb-> bow down#1

Sense 4
crouch, stoop, bend, bow -- (bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse")
       => bend, flex -- (form a curve; "The stick does not bend")

Sense 5
bow -- (play on a string instrument with a bow)
       => play -- (play on an instrument; "The band played all night long")