branch
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for branch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A woody offshoot growing from the trunk or a larger limb of a tree.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use branch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French branche, from Late Latin branca ("paw, claw") — the word originally pictured a tree limb reaching out like a claw.
Full origin of branch →Frequently asked questions
What does “branch” mean?
The word “branch” means a woody offshoot growing from the trunk or a larger limb of a tree. In plain terms, a part that grows or splits off from a main thing — a tree limb, a local office, or a subdivision of a subject.
How do you pronounce “branch”?
“Branch” is pronounced brahnch (/bɹænt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “branch” in a sentence?
Here is “branch” used in a sentence: “A low branch scraped the roof of the car as we drove down the lane.”
What is another word for “branch”?
Words with a similar meaning to “branch” include ramify.
What is the opposite of “branch”?
The opposite of “branch” — its antonyms — is crotch.
What part of speech is “branch”?
Depending on how it is used, “branch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “branch” come from?
The word “branch” comes from Late Latin. From Old French branche, from Late Latin branca ("paw, claw") — the word originally pictured a tree limb reaching out like a claw.
Is “branch” a common word?
“Branch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a branch and a twig?
A branch is a larger woody limb growing from the trunk or from a bigger limb of a tree. A twig is a small, thin shoot at the outer end of a branch, usually bearing leaves or buds. In short, twigs are the slender tips; branches are the sturdier structures that hold them.
What is the difference between a branch and a bough?
A bough is one of the main, large branches growing directly from the trunk of a tree. Branch is the more general word, covering limbs of any size, from thick boughs down to smaller offshoots. Every bough is a branch, but not every branch is large enough to be called a bough.
What are the other meanings of branch?
Beyond trees, a branch is a local office or division of a larger organisation, such as a bank branch. It also means a subdivision of a subject or family — a branch of science, or of a family tree — and a smaller stream that splits from a river. All echo the idea of dividing outward.
What is an example of a branch?
The limb a bird perches on or a swing hangs from is a branch of a tree. Figuratively, 'the company's Leeds branch' is a local office, and 'a branch of mathematics' is a subdivision of the subject. Each grows out from a larger main body, just as a limb grows from a trunk.