birch

3 synonyms for birch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A tree with thin, often pale, peeling bark, common across the Northern Hemisphere.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

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Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

birch rod birch tree

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A tree with thin, often pale, peeling bark, common across the Northern Hemisphere.

“A row of silver birches lined the driveway.”

birch rod birch tree

2. noun

A bundle of birch twigs formerly used as an instrument of corporal punishment.

“Schoolboys were once punished with the birch.”

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How to use birch

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

silver birch birch tree birch bark

Etymology

From Old English bierce/birce, an ancient Germanic tree name going back to a root meaning "bright" or "white," referring to the pale bark.

Full origin of birch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “birch” mean?

The word “birch” means a tree with thin, often pale, peeling bark, common across the Northern Hemisphere. In plain terms, a pale-barked tree, or (historically) a beating given with a bundle of its twigs.

How do you pronounce “birch”?

“Birch” is pronounced burch (/bɝt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “birch” in a sentence?

Here is “birch” used in a sentence: “A row of silver birches lined the driveway.”

What part of speech is “birch”?

Depending on how it is used, “birch” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “birch” come from?

The word “birch” comes from Old English. From Old English bierce/birce, an ancient Germanic tree name going back to a root meaning "bright" or "white," referring to the pale bark.

Is “birch” a common word?

“Birch” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “birch” have?

“Birch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree with thin, often pale, peeling bark, common across the Northern Hemisphere.

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