brush
/brʌʃ/A brush is a tool with bristles, used for cleaning, painting, or styling hair. It can also mean a small area of plants, like a brush of trees.
- I need a brush to paint this wall.
- She used a hair brush before leaving.
- We walked through a brush of trees.
To brush means to clean, paint, or arrange something with a brush. It can also mean to touch lightly or move past someone or something quickly.
- Please brush your shoes before the meeting.
- He brushed her hair gently.
- I brushed against the door in the dark.
Adinary Nuance
Brush is the everyday word for a tool and the action done with it. It is more common and general than sweep, scrub, or comb, which describe different actions or tools. Use brush when the movement is light, repeated, or done with bristles. For small touches or quick contact, brush also works in phrases like “brush against.”
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bàn chải
- Spanish
- cepillo
- Chinese
- 刷子
- Japanese
- ブラシ
- Korean
- 솔
Etymology
Brush came into English from Old French brushier in the Middle Ages. The word is linked to bristly things and the act of sweeping or rubbing with bristles.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between brush and comb?
- A brush has many bristles and covers more area. A comb has teeth and separates hair more clearly.
- Is brush used in formal writing?
- Yes, brush is common in both everyday speech and formal writing. It is especially common for actions like brushing hair or teeth.
- What does brush against mean?
- It means to touch something lightly while moving past it. For example, “I brushed against the wall.”
- What does brush up mean?
- It means to improve or review a skill or knowledge. For example, “I need to brush up on my English.”