boss

boss · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who is in charge of a worker or organization.

  2. 2.

    (informal) An excellent or impressive person or thing.

  3. 3.

    A raised ornamental stud or knob, especially on a shield or ceiling.

  4. 4.

    To give orders to someone in an authoritative or domineering way.

  5. 5.

    (slang) Excellent; first-rate.

Forms

plural: bosses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    boss around — to give orders in a domineering manner
  • •
    be one's own boss — to be self-employed
  • •
    like a boss — doing something skillfully or impressively

Related words

Antonyms: employee, subordinate, worker
See also: bosses, chief, manager, supervisor
Synonyms: chief, employer, head, manager, supervisor

Etymology

From Dutch "baas" meaning master, originally used in colonial America to address someone in authority without using "master," which had connotations of slavery.