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

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."

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."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

briars plural, briars plural

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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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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brier catbrier eglantine bullbrier sweetbrier sweetbriar greenbrier tree heath briar pipe horse brier horse-brier

Related words

eglantine greenbrier sweetbrier

Rhymes for briar

liar friar caviar peculiar familiar unfamiliar

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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.

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eglantine greenbrier sweetbrier