noun

bush

BUUSH

noun

A woody plant with multiple stems, smaller than a tree.

"She planted a rose bush by the front gate."

Wild, uncultivated land covered in natural vegetation, especially in Australia or Africa.

"They drove for hours through the bush before reaching the campsite."

adjective

Amateurish or not up to professional standard.

"That was a bush move, showing up late without calling."

How to Use Bush

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small woody plant, or (especially in Australian and African English) wild, undeveloped countryside.

UK vs US

"The bush" meaning wild countryside is especially common in Australian, New Zealand, and African English; less so in the UK or US.

Common pairings

beat around the bush out in the bush a rose bush

Word Forms

more bush comparative, bushed past tense, bushed past tense, bushes plural, bushes plural, bushes plural, bushes plural, Bushes plural, bushes singular, bushes singular, most bush superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “bush” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She planted a rose _____ by the front gate.

Etymology

From Old English "busc"/"bysc," tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root for "bush" or "thicket," itself related to a word meaning "to grow."

Rhymes for bush

push tush lush mush gush rush hush kush brush crush blush plush

See all rhymes for bush →