Bohemian

[boh-hee-mee-uhn]

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Bohemia.

2. Usually bohemian a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.

3. the Czech language, especially as spoken in Bohemia.

4. a Romani.

adjective

1. of or relating to Bohemia, its people, or their language.

2. Usually bohemian pertaining to or characteristic of the unconventional life of a bohemian.

3. living a wandering or vagabond life.

Bohemian

/ bəʊˈhiːmɪən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Bohemia, esp of the old kingdom of Bohemia; a Czech

2. (often not capital) a person, esp an artist or writer, who lives an unconventional life

3. the Czech language

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Bohemia, its people, or their language

2. unconventional in appearance, behaviour, etc

bohemian

1. A descriptive term for a stereotypical way of life for artists and intellectuals. According to the stereotype (see also stereotype), bohemians live in material poverty because they prefer their art or their learning to lesser goods; they are also unconventional in habits and dress, and sometimes in morals.

Other Word Forms

• anti-Bohemian adjective
• Bohemianism noun
• pro-Bohemian adjective
• pseudo-Bohemian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bohemian¹

First recorded in 1570–80; Bohemi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Stella McCartney posits in the movie that her mom’s singular style — minimal makeup, Bohemian wardrobe — influenced women musicians who followed.

From Los Angeles Times

The cynical take would be: This is a naked attempt at the same commercial success as music-themed dramas like “A Complete Unknown” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

From Los Angeles Times

Politicians have called on Derry City and Bohemians football clubs to hold rival gangs involved in Friday night's violence in Londonderry to account.

From BBC

Sleep Token, “Caramel” “Bohemian Rhapsody” for metalheads into “Black Mirror.”

From Los Angeles Times

That doesn’t mean he finds it easily, because the rough edges of this story could never be buffed out into a biopic like “Bohemian Rhapsody” or an hour-long episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• free spirit 
• hippie 
• nonconformist