noun
Common
brad
brad
Brad (noun) means a small, slender nail with a barely-there head, used in fine woodworking so the nail can be sunk flush and hidden. Example: “Tap each brad below the surface and fill the hole with wood filler.”
noun
1
A small, slender nail with a barely-there head, used in fine woodworking so the nail can be sunk flush and hidden.
"Tap each brad below the surface and fill the hole with wood filler."
"Use a brad instead of a screw when the moulding is very thin."
"He used brads to attach the thin trim without splitting the wood."
2
A small metal fastener with a round head and two flat prongs that splay apart to hold sheets of paper together.
"She pushed the brad through both holes and bent the prongs flat."
"The loose pages in the folder were held together by a brass brad."
"The report was bound with a brad through the top corner."
How to use brad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA brad is either a slim, nearly headless nail used in carpentry, or a small paper fastener with splitting prongs.
Common pairings
brad nail
paper brad
brad gun
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Word forms
- Plural
- brads
- Third person singular
- brads
- Past tense
- bradded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tap each _____ below the surface and fill the hole with wood filler.
Etymology
From late Middle English brad, related to Old Norse broddr ("spike, shaft").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for brad
See all rhymes for brad →Frequently asked questions
What does “brad” mean?
The word “brad” means a small, slender nail with a barely-there head, used in fine woodworking so the nail can be sunk flush and hidden. In plain terms, a brad is either a slim, nearly headless nail used in carpentry, or a small paper fastener with splitting prongs.
How do you pronounce “brad”?
“Brad” is pronounced brad (/bɹæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “brad” in a sentence?
Here is “brad” used in a sentence: “He used brads to attach the thin trim without splitting the wood.”
What part of speech is “brad”?
“Brad” is a noun.
Where does the word “brad” come from?
The word “brad” comes from Middle English. From late Middle English brad, related to Old Norse broddr ("spike, shaft").
Is “brad” a common word?
“Brad” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brad” have?
“Brad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, slender nail with a barely-there head, used in fine woodworking so the nail can be sunk flush and hidden.
What is the difference between a brad and a nail?
A brad is a small, slender nail with a barely-there head, made so it can be sunk flush and hidden in fine woodwork. A standard nail is usually thicker with a larger head meant to grip and stay visible. Brads are chosen when you want the fastening to disappear.
What is the difference between a brad and a paper fastener?
The word "brad" has two meanings: a tiny finishing nail for woodwork, and a small metal fastener with a round head and two flat prongs that splay apart to hold sheets of paper together. Context tells you which is meant — a workshop brad is a nail, while a stationery brad binds paper.
What is the difference between a brad and a panel pin?
Both are small, thin nails used where you want a discreet fixing, and the terms overlap; "brad" is more common in American English and "panel pin" in British English. Each has a very small head so it can be driven below the surface and concealed.
What is the difference between a brad and a tack?
A brad is a slender nail with a tiny head designed to sink flush and stay hidden, while a tack is short with a broad, flat head meant to stay visible and hold things like fabric or carpet in place. Brads conceal; tacks grip at the surface.
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