bossa nova
noun
bos·sa no·va
ˌbä-sə-ˈnō-və 
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
And occasionally, a throwback to the 1950s bossa nova beat and 1960s Motown era.
—
Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The swings carry a hint of bossa nova’s sway; the two-steps have a distinct samba flavor; and the bold hip bounces channel Brazilian funk.
—María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian bossa nova legend who became a Grammy-winning international star with his band Brasil ’66, has died at the age of 83.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
Building on top of 2023’s initial tracklist, five new songs round out the album to reflect a vast sonic library from jazz to bossa nova to R&B and alternative pop.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bossa nova
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Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The swings carry a hint of bossa nova’s sway; the two-steps have a distinct samba flavor; and the bold hip bounces channel Brazilian funk.
—María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian bossa nova legend who became a Grammy-winning international star with his band Brasil ’66, has died at the age of 83.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
Building on top of 2023’s initial tracklist, five new songs round out the album to reflect a vast sonic library from jazz to bossa nova to R&B and alternative pop.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bossa nova
Cite this Entry
“Bossa nova.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bossa%20nova. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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