Abbreviation of bachelor (or, in later senses, of bachelor pad).
Meanings
(US, archaic, slang) A bachelor.
(New-Zealand) A small hut, especially for a man living alone.
(New-Zealand) Now specifically, a holiday home, typically a small, simple house of one or two rooms on the beach.
From 1931 until his death in 1982, Sargeson lived a monastic life in a bach at Takapuna, writing in the mornings and tending his garden and entertaining friends in the latter part of the day. 2003, Michael King, The Penguin History of Aotearoa New Zealand, Penguin, published 2023, page 371:
Even before he began his chores he sunbathed naked against the east wall of the bach for half an hour. 1984, Janet Frame, An Angel at my Table, Virago, published 2024, page 263:
She stops the car by an ochre-coloured bach at the end of the beachline, by the shelter of a massive thicket of African thorn. 1983, Keri Hulme, The Bone People, Penguin, published 1986, page 163:
Abbreviation of bachelor (or, in later senses, of bachelor pad).
Meanings
(Australia, Canada, New-Zealand, US, archaic) To live as a bachelor; (chiefly of a man) to live without women, and do one's own cooking, housekeeping etc.
I hurried home to the tent—I was batching with a carpenter. 1900, Henry Lawson, Over the Sliprails:
While everyone else is flocking down South for a bach bash, you'll be singing "Oh, Canada," as you spend a weekend immersed in the city's uniquely hip take on old-world European culture. 2021 November 12, Erin Celletti, “Montreal Bachelorette Party Guide and Itinerary Ideas”, in Brides, archived from the original on 31 May 2023:
There are literally thousands of places you could go during a bach weekend in NYC, but take a tip from this New Yorker: Head to Beauty Bar as at least one of your bar-hopping spots. 2023 May 19, Samantha Grindell, Hannah Chubb, “Only the 21 Best Bachelorette Party Destinations for You and Your "I Do" Crew, Bb”, in Cosmopolitan, New York, N.Y.: Hearst Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 19 Aug 2023:
When I ask people how spending money makes them feel, so many of them respond, "Guilty." ¶ They'll give an example of how a rough day at the office led to buying a pair of shoes online or how they got a little carried away at their friend's bach party in Vegas. 2018 April 30, Dani Pascarella, “Why You Feel Guilty When You Spend Money And How To Stop”, in Forbes, New York, N.Y.: Forbes Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 24 Mar 2023:
"Bach parties are a time-honored tradition, but just like weddings, these have become hugely personalized," Lauren Kay, the executive editor of The Knot, said. "Can you get married without one or by taking a solo trip? Absolutely." 2023 May 25, Stephanie Cain, quoting Lauren Kay, “Why More Brides Are Opting for Solo Bachelorette Trips”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 23 Aug 2023:
Bachelorette party captions for Instagram […] Babes, baches, bikinis, and boats. 2020 August 14, Pippa Raga, “50 of the Best IG Captions for Your Bestie's Bachelorette or Hen Party”, in Distractify, archived from the original on 02 Feb 2023: