boss

/bɔs/

/bɒs/

Other forms: bosses; bossed; bossing

A boss is an authority figure, often the person who tells you what to do at work. If you work as a waiter, your boss might be the restaurant manager.

A boss at a job might hire you, give you feedback on your work, or tell you what your responsibilities are. If someone is in charge of a group, you could describe that person as a boss as well: "She's the boss of the French club — she tells everyone what to do." To boss someone is to do just this, order them around. Boss comes from a Dutch root, baas, "master."

Definitions of boss

1. noun

   a person who exercises control and makes decisions
   “he is his own boss now”

   types:

   drug baron, drug lord

   a person who controls an organization dealing in illegal drugs

   type of:

   leader

   a person who rules or guides or inspires others
2. noun

   a person responsible for hiring workers
   “the boss hired three more men for the new job”

   synonyms: hirer

   types:

   guvnor

   (British slang) boss

   old man

   (slang) boss

   type of:

   employer

   a person or firm that employs workers
3. noun

   a person who exercises control over workers
   synonyms: chief, foreman, gaffer, honcho

   types:

   baas

   South African term for `boss'

   ganger

   the foreman of a work gang

   assistant foreman, straw boss

   a member of a work gang who supervises the other workers

   type of:

   supervisor

   one who supervises or has charge and direction of
4. noun

   a leader in a political party who controls votes and dictates appointments
   “party bosses have a reputation for corruption”

   synonyms: party boss, political boss

   type of:

   pol, political leader, politician, politico

   a person active in party politics
5. noun

   a circular rounded projection or protuberance
   synonyms: knob

   types:

   knobble

   a small knob

   nailhead

   flattened boss on the end of nail opposite to the point

   type of:

   projection

   any structure that branches out from a central support
6. verb

   raise in a relief
   synonyms: emboss, stamp

   types:

   block

   stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block

   type of:

   impress, imprint

   mark or stamp with or as if with pressure
7. adjective

   exceptionally good
   “a boss hand at carpentry”

   synonyms: brag

   superior

   of high or superior quality or performance