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noun Uncommon

burr

bur

Burr (noun) means a prickly seed case or flower head that clings to fur or clothing. Example: “The dog came back covered in burrs from the field.”

noun
1
A prickly seed case or flower head that clings to fur or clothing.
"The dog came back covered in burrs from the field."
2
A strong, rolled pronunciation of the letter "r," or an accent marked by it.
"His soft Scottish burr made the story even more charming."
verb
1
To grind or smooth using a small rotating abrasive tool.
"The dentist used a burr to shape the cavity before filling it."

How to use burr

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA prickly seed pod that sticks to things, a rolling "r" accent, or (as a verb) to grind with a small rotary tool.

Common pairings
a Scottish burr covered in burrs

Word forms

burred past tense, burred past tense, burrs plural, burrs plural, burrs singular, burrs singular

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The dog came back covered in _____ from the field.

Etymology

From Middle English "burre," possibly related to an Old English word for "bristle."

Origin: Old English

bur

Related words

Bur

Rhymes for burr

See all rhymes for burr →

Frequently asked questions

What does “burr” mean?

The word “burr” means a prickly seed case or flower head that clings to fur or clothing. In plain terms, a prickly seed pod that sticks to things, a rolling "r" accent, or (as a verb) to grind with a small rotary tool.

How do you pronounce “burr”?

“Burr” is pronounced bur (/bɝ/ in IPA).

How do you use “burr” in a sentence?

Here is “burr” used in a sentence: “The dog came back covered in burrs from the field.”

What part of speech is “burr”?

Depending on how it is used, “burr” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “burr” come from?

The word “burr” comes from Old English. From Middle English "burre," possibly related to an Old English word for "bristle.".

Is “burr” a common word?

“Burr” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “burr” have?

“Burr” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prickly seed case or flower head that clings to fur or clothing.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial