You should rehearse your oral exam before tomorrow.
Dans un entretien très formel, dire « je bosse ici » peut sembler trop familier.
In a very formal interview, saying “I work here” in this slangy way may sound too casual.
Nous avons bossé le chapitre sur la Révolution.
We studied the chapter on the Revolution.
Je dois bosser mes maths ce soir.
I have to study maths tonight.
Sous la pression, la plaque s'est mise à bosser.
Under pressure, the plate began to bulge.
Similar words
bûcher
bossuer
taffer
amarrer
bûcher
potasser
bosseler
préparer
réviser
trimer
Meanings
Work hard
verb
work
informal
To work, often with sustained effort, in a very common informal style that is less suitable for formal professional speech.
Examples
Je bosse à l'hôpital depuis trois ans.
I have worked at the hospital for three years.
On a bossé toute la journée pour finir à temps.
We worked all day to finish on time.
Elle préfère bosser de chez elle le vendredi.
She prefers working from home on Fridays.
Il bosse dur, mais il prend aussi le temps de se reposer.
He works hard, but also makes time to rest.
Dans un entretien très formel, dire « je bosse ici » peut sembler trop familier.
In a very formal interview, saying “I work here” in this slangy way may sound too casual.
Similar words
travailler
bûcher
trimer
taffer
turbiner
se défoncer
Study or prepare intensively
verb
education
informal
To study a subject or prepare an exam actively, used transitively with the material being studied as its object.
Examples
Je dois bosser mes maths ce soir.
I have to study maths tonight.
Elle bosse son examen depuis plusieurs semaines.
She has been preparing for her exam for several weeks.
Nous avons bossé le chapitre sur la Révolution.
We studied the chapter on the Revolution.
Tu devrais bosser ton oral avant demain.
You should rehearse your oral exam before tomorrow.
Ils bossent leur cours ensemble à la bibliothèque.
They study their course together at the library.
Similar words
étudier
réviser
préparer
potasser
bûcher
Secure with a stopper rope
verb
nautical
technical
In nautical use, to hold an anchor, cable, rope, or chain temporarily with a short stopper rope called a bosse.
Examples
Les marins ont bossé le câble avant la manœuvre.
The sailors secured the cable before the manoeuvre.
Il faut bosser l'ancre pour la maintenir en place.
The anchor must be secured with a stopper to hold it in place.
L'équipage bosse le cordage avec une bosse solide.
The crew secures the rope with a strong stopper.
Après avoir viré l'ancre, ils l'ont bossée contre le bord.
After weighing anchor, they secured it against the side.
Le maître d'équipage vérifie que la chaîne est bien bossée.
The boatswain checks that the chain is properly secured.
Similar words
retenir
fixer
amarrer
Form or make bumps
verb
craft
archaic
In rare, regional, or older use, to bulge, make a raised design, or deform something by creating bumps.
Examples
La carrosserie bosse légèrement au-dessus de la roue.
The bodywork bulges slightly above the wheel.
L'artisan a bossé le métal pour créer le relief.
The craftsperson embossed the metal to create relief.
Sous la pression, la plaque s'est mise à bosser.
Under pressure, the plate began to bulge.
Dans cet usage régional, le choc a bossé la tasse.
In this regional use, the impact dented the cup.
Le décor bossé capte la lumière.
The embossed decoration catches the light.
Similar words
bosseler
bossuer
cabosser
repousser
Etymology
The bump-related verb comes from bosse, “bump.” The origin of the informal work sense is uncertain, perhaps from a western dialect meaning “to bend over” or from nautical work with a bosse rope.
FAQ
What does bosser mean?
Bosser most often means to work in informal French. It can also mean to study a subject intensively and has rarer nautical and bump-related senses.
How do you pronounce bosser?
Bosser is pronounced /bɔse/.
Is bosser formal?
No. The work and study senses are informal and common in conversation, while the nautical sense is technical.
What is the difference between bosser and travailler?
Both can mean to work, but travailler is neutral and suitable everywhere, while bosser is more casual and often suggests real effort.
Can bosser take a direct object?
Yes. In student language, bosser ses maths or bosser un examen means to study maths or prepare an exam intensively.
Where does bosser come from?
The bump sense comes from bosse. The work sense has an uncertain origin, perhaps linked to bending over work or to nautical labour.
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