Bossa Nova
/ˈbɔsɐ ˈnɔvɐ/noun
A Brazilian music style that combines samba rhythms with the harmonic and melodic sophistication of jazz.
Did you know?The term became associated with João Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Vinicius de Moraes during Brazil’s late-1950s musical revolution.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*néwos
“New; fresh or recently made”
Classical Latin
Latin
novus
“New, strange, or unprecedented”
Medieval Latin
Latin
nova
“New, feminine form of novus”
16th–19th Century
Portuguese
bossa
“Originally a bump or hump; later, figuratively, a knack, style, or distinctive flair”
Early 20th Century
Brazilian Portuguese
bossa
“A person’s personal way, groove, or special talent”
Late 1950s
Brazilian Portuguese
bossa nova
““New flair” or “new trend,” describing an emerging Brazilian musical style”
Modern English
English
bossa nova
“The internationally recognized Brazilian jazz-influenced music genre”