noun
bracken
BRA-kuhn
Bracken (noun) means a tough, fast-spreading fern that grows in dense patches on hillsides and moorland; toxic to grazing animals if eaten in quantity. Example: “The hillside was covered in thick bracken turning golden brown in autumn.”
noun
1
A tough, fast-spreading fern that grows in dense patches on hillsides and moorland; toxic to grazing animals if eaten in quantity.
"The hillside was covered in thick bracken turning golden brown in autumn."
"Farmers try to keep bracken from spreading into grazing land."
How to use bracken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common wild fern found on hills and open ground, often growing in large, dense stretches.
Common pairings
thick bracken
a bed of bracken
bracken-covered hillside
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Word forms
- Plural
- brackens
Fill the gap
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The hillside was covered in thick _____ turning golden brown in autumn.
Etymology
From Middle English braken, likely of Old Norse origin, related to a root meaning "to break" — probably describing how the fronds snap.
Synonyms
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brake
pasture brake
Related words
Rhymes for bracken
See all rhymes for bracken →Frequently asked questions
What does “bracken” mean?
The word “bracken” means a tough, fast-spreading fern that grows in dense patches on hillsides and moorland; toxic to grazing animals if eaten in quantity. In plain terms, a common wild fern found on hills and open ground, often growing in large, dense stretches.
How do you pronounce “bracken”?
“Bracken” is pronounced BRA-kuhn (/ˈbɹækən/ in IPA).
How do you use “bracken” in a sentence?
Here is “bracken” used in a sentence: “The hillside was covered in thick bracken turning golden brown in autumn.”
What part of speech is “bracken”?
“Bracken” is a noun.
Where does the word “bracken” come from?
The word “bracken” comes from Middle English. From Middle English braken, likely of Old Norse origin, related to a root meaning "to break" — probably describing how the fronds snap.
