noun
briar
breye-uh
Briar (noun) means a wild, thorny shrub or vine, such as a wild rose or bramble, that grows in tangled clumps. Example: “The path was overgrown with briars that scratched at our legs.”
noun
1
A wild, thorny shrub or vine, such as a wild rose or bramble, that grows in tangled clumps.
"The path was overgrown with briars that scratched at our legs."
"A briar patch had taken over the back corner of the garden."
2
A tobacco pipe carved from the hard, gnarled root of a Mediterranean heath shrub.
"He kept an old briar on his desk, though he rarely smoked it anymore."
3
Something that causes trouble, irritation, or difficulty, used figuratively.
"That clause in the contract turned out to be a real briar for the legal team."
How to use briar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thorny wild bush, or (less commonly) a pipe made from one particular shrub's tough root.
Common pairings
briar patch
a tangle of briars
briar pipe
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Word forms
- Plural
- briars
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The path was overgrown with _____ that scratched at our legs.
Etymology
From Old English brēr/brǣr, "briar, bramble" — a word whose deeper origins are uncertain, though it may be related to an old term for heather.
Synonyms
View more →
brier
catbrier
eglantine
bullbrier
sweetbrier
sweetbriar
greenbrier
tree heath
briar pipe
horse brier
horse-brier
Related words
Rhymes for briar
See all rhymes for briar →Frequently asked questions
What does “briar” mean?
The word “briar” means a wild, thorny shrub or vine, such as a wild rose or bramble, that grows in tangled clumps. In plain terms, a thorny wild bush, or (less commonly) a pipe made from one particular shrub's tough root.
How do you pronounce “briar”?
“Briar” is pronounced breye-uh (/bɹaɪə/ in IPA).
How do you use “briar” in a sentence?
Here is “briar” used in a sentence: “The path was overgrown with briars that scratched at our legs.”
What part of speech is “briar”?
“Briar” is a noun.
Where does the word “briar” come from?
The word “briar” comes from Old English. From Old English brēr/brǣr, "briar, bramble" — a word whose deeper origins are uncertain, though it may be related to an old term for heather.
How many meanings does “briar” have?
“Briar” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wild, thorny shrub or vine, such as a wild rose or bramble, that grows in tangled clumps.
