B2 noun Neutral

brush

/brʌʃ/

A tool consisting of bristles, hair, or wire set into a handle, used for cleaning, grooming, or applying paint. Metaphorically, in academic and formal contexts, it refers to a brief, often unpleasant, encounter or skirmish with something.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

She used a soft brush to remove the dust from the old photograph.

She used a soft brush to remove the dust from the old photograph.

2

The conservator utilized a specialized camel-hair brush to stabilize the pigment on the fresco.

The conservator utilized a specialized camel-hair brush to stabilize the pigment on the fresco.

3

I lost my hair brush at the gym yesterday, so I had to use a comb.

I lost my hair brush at the gym yesterday, so I had to use a comb.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
brush
Verb
brush
Adjetivo
brushed
Relacionado
brushing
💡

Truco para recordar

Think of the 'B' in Brush standing for the 'Bristles' that 'Rush' over a surface.

Quiz rápido

The explorer had a dangerous ___ with a local predator during the expedition.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: brush

Ejemplos

1

She used a soft brush to remove the dust from the old photograph.

everyday

She used a soft brush to remove the dust from the old photograph.

2

The conservator utilized a specialized camel-hair brush to stabilize the pigment on the fresco.

formal

The conservator utilized a specialized camel-hair brush to stabilize the pigment on the fresco.

3

I lost my hair brush at the gym yesterday, so I had to use a comb.

informal

I lost my hair brush at the gym yesterday, so I had to use a comb.

4

The historian's first brush with the primary source material led to a complete revision of the thesis.

academic

The historian's first brush with the primary source material led to a complete revision of the thesis.

5

The startup had a close brush with failure before securing the second round of funding.

business

The startup had a close brush with failure before securing the second round of funding.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
brush
Verb
brush
Adjetivo
brushed
Relacionado
brushing

Colocaciones comunes

paint brush paint brush
hair brush hair brush
stiff brush stiff brush
a close brush a close brush (an encounter that was almost a disaster)
wire brush wire brush

Frases Comunes

a brush with death

a brush with death

the brush-off

the brush-off (a rejection or dismissal)

paint with a broad brush

paint with a broad brush (to describe something in general terms)

Se confunde a menudo con

brush vs comb

A comb is a flat tool with teeth used for hair, whereas a brush has bristles set into a base.

brush vs broom

A broom is specifically a long-handled brush used for sweeping floors.

📝

Notas de uso

When used to mean 'an encounter,' it is almost always followed by the preposition 'with.' As a physical tool, it is a countable noun.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners sometimes use 'brush' for everything related to hair, but 'comb' is specific to tools with single rows of teeth. Also, remember the plural is 'brushes'.

💡

Truco para recordar

Think of the 'B' in Brush standing for the 'Bristles' that 'Rush' over a surface.

📖

Origen de la palabra

From the Old French word 'brosse', meaning 'bramble, brushwood, or a thicket,' which were used to make cleaning tools.

Patrones gramaticales

Countable noun: plural 'brushes' Used in the structure 'a brush with [something]' Can function as a compound noun (e.g., toothbrush)
🌍

Contexto cultural

In art history, 'brushwork' refers to the characteristic way each artist applies paint, often used to identify the creator of a work.

Quiz rápido

The explorer had a dangerous ___ with a local predator during the expedition.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: brush

Palabras relacionadas

blacklist

B2

To put a person, organization, or country on a list of those who are considered unacceptable and should be avoided or excluded from certain activities or privileges. It is often used to describe the denial of employment, trade, or participation based on previous behavior or reputation.

blackmailer

B2

A person who demands money, favors, or specific actions from someone by threatening to reveal damaging secrets or private information about them. It refers to an individual who practices extortion through psychological or reputational leverage.

blackout

B2

A blackout refers to a temporary loss of electrical power over an area or a sudden failure of memory or consciousness in an individual. It can also describe a period of censorship where information or news is intentionally suppressed by an authority.

blackthorn

B2

A thorny deciduous shrub or small tree of the rose family, native to Europe and western Asia, which produces white flowers in early spring and small, bitter, dark blue fruits known as sloes. It is frequently used for creating dense, prickly hedges and is well-known for providing the wood used in traditional Irish walking sticks.

bladder

B2

To swell, puff out, or expand like a balloon, often used in technical contexts to describe membranes filling with air or liquid. Informally, it can also refer to talking at length without much substance or meaning.

blame

B2

To consider or state that someone or something is responsible for a mistake, failure, or negative situation. It involves attributing the cause of a problem to a specific person, group, or factor.

blameless

B2

Describes someone who has done nothing wrong and cannot be held responsible for a bad situation or mistake. It is often used to emphasize a person's innocence or their morally upright character.

blameworthy

B2

Deserving of blame, criticism, or censure because of wrong or negligent behavior. It is often used to describe actions or individuals that are morally or legally responsible for a negative outcome.

blandness

B2

Blandness refers to the quality of being uninteresting, dull, or lacking in strong features and characteristics. In a culinary context, it describes food that lacks flavor or seasoning, while in a general context, it describes things that are mediocre or devoid of personality.

blank

B2

Describes a surface that has no writing, images, or marks on it, or a state of mind where one cannot remember or think of anything. It is frequently used to describe paper, screens, or facial expressions that lack emotion or understanding.

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