English dictionary — definitions & meanings

brittleness

noun

The state of being brittle (in various senses).

Brixton

name

A district in south London, England, also used as a surname and male given name.

briz

name

A male given name from the Celtic languages, variant of Brice.

bro

noun

An informal word for "brother," used for a male sibling or close friend.

broach

verb

To bring up a sensitive or difficult topic for discussion.

broad

adj

Wide, either physically or in scope or range.

broadband

noun

A high-speed internet connection, typically much faster than older dial-up connections.

broadcast

verb

To transmit a program or message by radio, television, or similar means to a wide audience.

broadcaster

noun

A person who presents programs on radio or television.

broadcasting

noun

The industry or activity of producing and transmitting radio and television programs.

broaden

verb

To make or become wider, more extensive, or more inclusive.

broadening

noun

The act of becoming broader.

broadly

adv

In a general way, without focusing on precise details.

broadness

noun

The state, characteristic, or condition of being broad; breadth.

Broads

name

A network of navigable rivers and lakes in Norfolk and Suffolk, England, known as the Norfolk Broads.

broadsheet

noun

A newspaper having pages of standard dimensions (as opposed to a tabloid), especially one that carries serious treatment of news.

broadside

noun

A strong, forceful attack, whether spoken or written.

broadsword

noun

A type of early modern sword that has a broad double-edged blade for cutting (as opposed to the more slender thrust-oriented rapier) and typically a basket hilt.

Broadway

name

The famous street running through Manhattan, especially associated with its theater district.

broadwing

noun

In falconry, a bird of prey of the eagle or buzzard type, having long wings and long flight feathers.

brobdingnagian

adj

Of or pertaining to Brobdingnag.

brocade

noun

A heavy fabric woven with a raised, often ornate pattern, traditionally in gold or silver thread.

broccoli

noun

A vegetable with tight green flower clusters on a thick edible stalk, related to cabbage.

brochette

noun

A small skewer or spit on which small pieces of meat, fish or vegetables are roasted or broiled.

brochure

noun

A small printed booklet or pamphlet, usually used for advertising or giving information.

Brock

noun

An old dialect word for a badger.

Brockman

name

A surname, and the name of a river in Western Australia.

Broderick

noun

A severe beating or thrashing.

brodie

noun

Informal term for a close male friend, similar to "bro."

Brodsky

name

A surname of Czech origin.

brody

noun

The act of deliberately spinning a car in circles, often while sliding sideways.

brogan

noun

A sturdy, heavy work boot or shoe.

brogue

noun

A strong dialectal accent, usually Irish or Scottish.

broil

verb

To cook by direct, radiant heat.

broiling

noun

A food prepared by broiling.

broke

adj

Having no money; financially ruined.

brokeback

adj

Having a bent or hunched back; broken-down or derelict.

broken

adj

Separated into pieces; fractured or shattered.

brokeness

noun

The characteristic of being broke; having no money.

brokenhearted

adj

Overwhelmed with sadness, especially from losing someone loved or from the end of a relationship.

brokenheartedly

adv

In a brokenhearted manner.

broker

noun

A person or firm that arranges deals between a buyer and a seller, often for a fee.

brokerage

noun

A firm or business that acts as a broker, especially in buying and selling stocks or property.

brolationship

noun

The camaraderie or bond between male friends.

brolic

adj

Having large, well-developed muscles.

Brom

name

A German surname.

bromance

noun

A close, non-romantic friendship between two men.

bromide

noun

A chemical compound formed from bromine and another element, once used as a mild sedative.

Bromley

name

A London borough in south-east Greater London, England, and a surname.

bronc

noun

A short form of "bronco"; an unbroken or wild horse.

bronchial

adj

Of or relating to the bronchia, bronchi or bronchioles.

bronchiolitis

noun

Inflammation of the bronchioles; especially common in young children.

bronchitis

noun

Inflammation of the airways (bronchi) in the lungs, often causing coughing and difficulty breathing.

bronchodilatory

adj

That acts as a bronchodilator.

bronco

noun

A wild or only partly tamed horse, especially from western North America.

broncobuster

noun

A person who breaks horses so that they can be ridden with a saddle.

Broner

name

A surname.

Bronson

name

A surname and male given name, and the name of several small cities in the United States.

Bronte

name

A surname, most famously borne by the English literary sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, also the name of a Sicilian town and an English dukedom.

Bronx

noun

A cocktail made with gin, vermouth, and orange juice.

bronze

noun

A metal alloy, usually of copper and tin, used for statues, tools, and medals.

bronzed

adj

Coated or covered in bronze.

bronzing

noun

The process of giving something the appearance of bronze.

brooch

noun

A decorative piece of jewelry with a pin, worn attached to clothing.

brood

noun

A group of young animals, especially birds, hatched or raised together.

brooder

noun

A person who broods.

brooding

adj

Deeply, often gloomily thoughtful.

broody

adjective

Feeling a strong longing to have a baby.

brook

noun

A small, natural stream of water.

Brooke

name

An English surname, also a female given name popularized in part by actress Brooke Shields.

brookite

noun

A dark brown mineral form of titanium dioxide, with the chemical formula TiO₂.

brooklet

name

A locality in the Ballina council area, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.

Brooklyn

name

A populous borough of New York City, and a female or unisex given name derived from the place name.

brooklynn

name

A female given name transferred from the place name, variant of Brooklyn.

Brooks

name

An English surname and male given name, a variant of Brook, and the name of a city in Alberta, Canada.

broom

noun

A cleaning tool with bristles on a long handle, used for sweeping floors.

Broome

name

A surname, and the name of towns in England, New York, and Western Australia.

broomstick

noun

The handle of a broom, or the whole broom itself.

Brophy

name

A surname of Irish origin.

brose

noun

Oatmeal mixed with boiling water or milk.

broski

noun

A trusted male friend.

broth

noun

The flavoured liquid left over after meat, vegetables, or bones have been simmered in water.

brotha

noun

Pronunciation spelling of brother.

brothel

noun

A house where people pay for sex with prostitutes.

brother

noun

A boy or man who shares at least one parent with you.

brotherhood

noun

A close bond of loyalty and support like that between brothers.

brotherlike

adj

Resembling or characteristic of a brother.

brotherliness

noun

the characteristic of being brotherly

brotherly

adj

Showing the warmth, loyalty, or protectiveness typical of a brother.

brothership

noun

The state of being brothers; brotherhood.

brothy

adj

Resembling or characteristic of broth.

brought up

verb

Raised and cared for as a child, taught particular values and manners; the past tense and past participle of bring up.

brouhaha

noun

A stir; a fuss or uproar.

Broussard

name

A French surname, common in Louisiana.

brow

noun

The ridge above the eyes, including the eyebrow, or the forehead generally.

browbeat

verb

To bully in an intimidating, bossy, or supercilious way.

brown

adj

Having the colour of chocolate, coffee, or soil.

Browne

name

A surname, a spelling variant of Brown.

Brownie

noun

A small, dense, usually fudgy chocolate cake cut into squares.

brownification

noun

Browning; especially the browning of lakes and streams due to increased dissolved humic material.

browning

noun

The process of turning brown, especially when cooking.

brownness

noun

The state or quality of being brown.

brownout

noun

A period of low alternating current line voltage, causing a reduction in illumination.

brownstone

noun

A reddish-brown sandstone used as a building material.

brownstown

name

Ellipsis of Battle of Brownstown.

Brownsville

name

A city in Texas on the border with Mexico, and the name of many other towns and neighbourhoods across the United States.

brownton

name

A city in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States.

browntown

name

An unincorporated community in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States.

brownville

name

A place in the United States:

browse

verb

To look through something casually, without a specific goal in mind.

browser

noun

A computer program used to find, load and display pages on the web, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge.

browsing

noun

The act of casually looking through something, especially websites or shop items.

Broyles

name

A surname of German origin.

brr

intj

Used to express that something feels very cold.

bru

noun

A friendly term of address for a man, roughly equivalent to "bro" or "mate."

Brubaker

name

A surname.

Bruce

name

A male given name and Scottish surname, historically associated with Robert the Bruce.

brucie

name

A nickname of the given name Bruce.

Bruckner

name

A German surname, notably borne by the Austrian composer Anton Bruckner.

Bruges

name

The capital city of West Flanders, Belgium, known for its medieval canals.

bruh

intj

Used to express surprise, shock, or disbelief.

bruin

noun

A folk name for a bear, especially the brown bear, Ursus arctos.

bruise

noun

A discoloured mark on the skin caused by a blow that damages blood vessels underneath without breaking the surface.

bruised

adj

Marked with a bruise, or figuratively hurt in confidence or pride.

bruiser

noun

A big, physically tough person, especially one prone to rough treatment of others.

bruising

noun

A pattern or area of bruises on the skin.

bruit

noun

Hearsay, rumour; talk; (countable) an instance of this.

brumal

adj

Belonging to winter; winterlike; wintry.

brumby

noun

A wild horse living free in the Australian bush.

Brun

name

A Norwegian surname, notably held by mathematician Viggo Brun.

brunch

noun

A relaxed meal eaten late in the morning that combines breakfast and lunch foods.

Brunei

noun

A small oil-rich country on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.

Bruner

name

A surname.

brunet

adj

Of a man's or boy's hair: brown or dark brown.

brunette

adj

Having brown hair.

Brunner

name

A surname.

Bruno

name

A male given name and Italian surname, also used informally as a name for a bear.

Brunson

name

A surname.

Brunswick

noun

A historic region and city in Germany (also called Braunschweig), and the name given to several towns founded by German or English settlers elsewhere.

brunt

noun

The main force or worst part of something difficult, usually in the phrase "bear the brunt".

brush

noun

A tool with bristles attached to a handle, used for cleaning, painting, or grooming hair.

brushed

adj

Given a matte, roughened surface texture, especially metal.

brushing

noun

The act of running a brush over something, such as hair or teeth.

brushwood

noun

Branches and twigs fallen from trees and shrubs.

brusque

adj

Rudely abrupt; curt, unfriendly.

brusquely

adv

In a brusque manner; abruptly; rudely.

brusqueness

noun

The state or quality of being brusque; brusque behaviour.

Brussels

noun

A type of thick, patterned carpet with a looped (uncut) woven pile, originally made in Brussels.

brutal

adjective

Extremely violent, cruel, or harsh.

brutality

noun

The quality of being savagely violent or cruel.