boss
boss Lexical Profile
boss Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who is in charge of a worker, group, or organization; a manager or employer.
"She asked her boss for permission to work remotely on Fridays."
A major, powerful computer-controlled enemy encountered at the climax of a level or stage in a video game.
"It took the players three attempts to defeat the final boss at the end of the dungeon."
A powerful leader who controls the policies and patronage of a political party machine or criminal organization.
"The investigation focused on the corrupt political boss who controlled the city's public contracts."
A raised knob, stud, or decorative protuberance on the center of a shield, on metalwork, or at the intersection of ribs in a vaulted ceiling.
"The medieval cathedral ceiling featured intricately carved stone bosses at the junctions of the vaulting."
• verb
To give orders to someone in a domineering or overbearing manner.
"The older sibling always tried to boss the younger children around when their parents were away."
To ornament or decorate a surface with raised knobs or studs.
"The artisan carefully bossed the leather book cover with brass studs."
• adjective
Excellent, outstanding, or first-rate (slang).
"Everyone agreed that his vintage convertible was a totally boss car."
• Rhymes for boss
Word Origin & Etymology
The supervisor sense entered American English in the early 17th century from Dutch 'baas' ('master'), originally adopted by workers to avoid the feudal connotations of 'master'. The architectural and ornamental sense meaning 'knob' or 'stud' is a separate word borrowed from Old French 'boce' ('hump' or 'swelling').