bossa nova

noun

bos·​sa no·​va ˌbä-sə-ˈnō-və How to pronounce bossa nova (audio)
1
: popular music of Brazilian origin that is rhythmically related to the samba but with complex harmonies and improvised jazzlike passages
2
: a dance performed to bossa nova music

Examples of bossa nova in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They were inspired by the protean roots of samba, the silky vibe of the bossa nova, and the jangly wave of Brazilian pop-rock known as jovem guarda. Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 10 Sep. 2024 Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian musician renowned for bringing bossa nova music to a global audience starting in the ’60s, has died. Christian Holub, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2024 Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian composer, arranger and pianist whose melding of his native country’s traditional music with ’60s-vintage American pop, bossa nova, samba, funk and hints of cool jazz became one of the decade’s most beloved and popular sounds, died peacefully Thursday in Los Angeles. Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2024 The combination of Vail’s clever camera moves and the catchy bossa nova tune helped turn the short musical sketch into a hit online. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bossa nova 

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, literally, new trend

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bossa nova was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near bossa nova

Cite this Entry

“Bossa nova.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bossa%20nova. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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