bout
A brief period of intense activity, or a specific occurrence of something, such as an illness or a strong emotion. It is frequently used to describe a temporary struggle or a competitive match in sports like boxing.
Examples
3 of 5After a week-long bout of the flu, she finally felt strong enough to leave the house.
After a week-long period of the flu, she finally felt strong enough to leave the house.
The economy experienced a sudden bout of volatility following the unexpected policy change.
The economy experienced a sudden period of volatility following the unexpected policy change.
I just had a quick bout with the lawnmower before the rain started.
I just had a quick session with the lawnmower before the rain started.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a boxing match: a 'bout' is a fight. When you have a 'bout' of the flu, you are 'fighting' the virus for a round.
Quick Quiz
The city is recovering from a severe _____ of freezing rain that caused widespread power outages.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bout
Examples
After a week-long bout of the flu, she finally felt strong enough to leave the house.
everydayAfter a week-long period of the flu, she finally felt strong enough to leave the house.
The economy experienced a sudden bout of volatility following the unexpected policy change.
formalThe economy experienced a sudden period of volatility following the unexpected policy change.
I just had a quick bout with the lawnmower before the rain started.
informalI just had a quick session with the lawnmower before the rain started.
Clinical studies suggest that short bouts of vigorous exercise can be as effective as longer, moderate sessions.
academicClinical studies suggest that short periods of vigorous exercise can be as effective as longer, moderate sessions.
The firm faced a challenging bout of litigation that lasted for nearly three years.
businessThe firm faced a challenging period of litigation that lasted for nearly three years.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a bout of nerves
a temporary feeling of anxiety
a bout of heavy drinking
a period spent consuming a lot of alcohol
another bout of
a repeated instance of an unpleasant event
Often Confused With
A boat is a watercraft, whereas a bout is a period of time or a match.
About is a preposition meaning concerning; bout is a noun referring to a duration.
Usage Notes
The word is most commonly used with negative experiences like illness, bad weather, or difficult emotions, but it is also the standard term for a boxing or wrestling match.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'bout' to describe long, permanent conditions, but it specifically implies a temporary period with a clear start and end.
Memory Tip
Think of a boxing match: a 'bout' is a fight. When you have a 'bout' of the flu, you are 'fighting' the virus for a round.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle English 'bought', meaning a bend or a turn, suggesting a 'turn' at something.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In sports culture, especially in the US and UK, 'bout' is specifically synonymous with professional prize-fighting matches.
Quick Quiz
The city is recovering from a severe _____ of freezing rain that caused widespread power outages.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bout
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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