bosom

IPA/ˈbʊzəm/
KK[bˈʊzəm]IPA/ˈbʊzəm/

bosom — noun

  • bosomsingular
  • bosomsplural

1. a woman's chest, especially the breasts seen as a single rounded area on the fro

1.名詞B2
釋義

a woman's chest, especially the breasts seen as a single rounded area on the front of the body

例句

The tailor measured Dahlia's bosom carefully before cutting the silk fabric for her evening gown.

collocation: measure bosom for clothing

In Victorian portraits, women often had a small flower pinned to their bosom as a fashionable decoration.

preposition: pinned to the bosom

同義詞
  • bust

    refers specifically to a woman's chest measurement for clothing sizing, less poetic

  • chest

    neutral and ungendered; far more common in everyday speech

  • breasts

    direct anatomical term; more clinical and less literary than 'bosom'

文法句型

bosom(s) as noun

often used in plural form 'bosoms'

用法筆記

Frequently appears in singular form ('her bosom') even when referring to both breasts collectively. In modern everyday conversation, 'chest' or 'breasts' is far more common — 'bosom' sounds literary or old-fashioned.

常見錯誤

The doctor checked her bosom for a lump.
The doctor checked her breasts for a lump.
💡'bosom' is not used in medical or clinical contexts.

2. the area across a person's upper body, imagined in literature as the location wh

2.名詞B2
釋義

the area across a person's upper body, imagined in literature as the location where heartfelt emotions, private thoughts, and caring feelings stay hidden

例句

After years abroad, Wei felt a deep longing in his bosom whenever he thought of his grandmother's kitchen.

figurative: longing in the bosom

Elena held the letter close to her bosom, afraid someone might discover its secret.

collocation: hold close to one's bosom

同義詞
  • heart

    far more common for feelings; 'bosom' is more formal and protective

  • breast

    similar poetic register; 'bosom' emphasises warmth and safekeeping

  • soul

    refers to the spiritual rather than emotional centre

文法句型

in the bosom of [family/nature/church]

bosom as seat of emotions

用法筆記

This sense is almost exclusively figurative and literary. The phrase 'in the bosom of' (family, community, nature, church) is the most common fixed expression. Not used in casual conversation about emotions — use 'heart' or 'chest' instead.

常見錯誤

I felt sad in my bosom.
I felt a deep sadness in my heart.
💡'bosom' for feelings is literary; use 'heart' for everyday emotional expression.

3. the section of a garment — such as a dress, shirt, or jacket — designed to lie a

3.名詞B2
釋義

the section of a garment — such as a dress, shirt, or jacket — designed to lie across the front of the upper body

例句

Brooke sewed a delicate lace trim along the bosom of her daughter's christening gown.

preposition: along the bosom of [garment]

The vintage dress had three tiny pearl buttons running down the bosom from the collar to the waist.

同義詞
  • bust

    used in clothing sizing measurements; more technical

  • chest

    neutral, everyday term for this part of a garment

  • front

    simplest and most common word for any garment's front side

文法句型

the bosom of a dress/shirt

用法筆記

Most common in fashion or sewing contexts. Modern clothing catalogues typically say 'chest area' or 'front panel' rather than 'bosom'. The word persists in historical costume descriptions and tailoring manuals.

常見錯誤

The shirt has a stain on the bosom.' (vague)
There is a small coffee stain on the front of the shirt.
💡'bosom' sounds dated for everyday stain descriptions.

bosom — verb

bosom — adjective