IPA: /ˈbɒb.ər/
KK: /ˈbɑːbər/
A floating device used in fishing to indicate when a fish is biting, often attached to a fishing line.
He watched the bobber closely, waiting for it to dip under the water.
The word 'bobber' originates from the verb 'bob', which is of uncertain origin but is thought to be imitative of the motion of bobbing or bouncing. The suffix '-er' indicates a person or thing that performs a specified action. Therefore, a 'bobber' refers to something that bobs or a device that bobs on the surface, often used in fishing to indicate a bite.
Think of something that 'bobs' or moves up and down, and remember that a 'bobber' is a device that does just that, often used in fishing.