noun

barb

bahb

noun

A sharp point angled backward on an arrow, hook, or wire, designed to make it hard to pull out.

"The fishhook's barb kept it firmly lodged in the fish's mouth."

A sharp, cutting remark meant to hurt or provoke.

"She fired off a few barbs about his driving before he even started the car."

Any of various small freshwater fish with whisker-like barbels near the mouth.

"The aquarium tank was stocked with tiger barbs."

verb

To fit something with barbs.

"The fence was barbed with wire along the top."

How to Use Barb

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally a backward-pointing spike (as on a hook or wire); figuratively, a stinging remark.

Common pairings

barbed wire a barb aimed at trade barbs

Word Forms

barbed past tense, barbed past tense, barbs plural, barbs plural, barbs plural, barbs plural, Barbz plural, Barbs plural, barbs singular, barbs singular

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The fishhook's _____ kept it firmly lodged in the fish's mouth.

Etymology

From Old French barbe ("beard"), from Latin barba — the same root as "beard" and "barber."

Rhymes for barb

garb bicarb rhubarb Goldfarb

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