bun
Bun (noun) means a small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger. Example: “She toasted the burger buns on the grill.”
How to use bun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small bread roll, or a rolled-up hairstyle.
Word forms
bunned past tense, bunned past tense, buns plural, buns plural, buns plural, bun plural, Buns plural, buns singular, buns singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She toasted the burger _____ on the grill.
Etymology
From Middle English "bunne," probably via Old French bugne ("bump, fritter"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "lump" or "clump."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “bun” mean?
The word “bun” means a small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger. In plain terms, a small bread roll, or a rolled-up hairstyle.
How do you pronounce “bun”?
“Bun” is pronounced buhn (/bʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “bun” in a sentence?
Here is “bun” used in a sentence: “She toasted the burger buns on the grill.”
What part of speech is “bun”?
Depending on how it is used, “bun” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bun” come from?
The word “bun” comes from Old French. From Middle English "bunne," probably via Old French bugne ("bump, fritter"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "lump" or "clump.".
Is “bun” a common word?
“Bun” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bun” have?
“Bun” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger.
What is the difference between a bun and a roll?
A bun is typically a small round bread roll, often sweet or used to hold a filling like a burger, while "roll" is a broader term covering small bread portions of many shapes. In practice the two words overlap heavily for burger and sandwich bread.
What does it mean to put your hair "in a bun"?
To put hair in a bun means to gather and tie it into a rounded knot at the back or top of the head, used both as a noun for the hairstyle and as a verb for the act of styling it.
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