C1 noun Neutre

bristle

/ˈbrɪs.əl/

A short, stiff hair, typically one of those on an animal's skin, a man's face, or a brush. In a scientific or academic context, it refers to any stiff, hair-like structure on an organism.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

The old paintbrush had lost half of its bristles, making it impossible to get a smooth finish.

The old paintbrush had lost half of its bristles, making it impossible to get a smooth finish.

2

The document specifies that the cleaning apparatus must utilize reinforced synthetic bristles to ensure longevity.

The document specifies that the cleaning apparatus must utilize reinforced synthetic bristles to ensure longevity.

3

Ouch, your chin bristles are really scratchy; you should probably shave.

Ouch, your chin bristles are really scratchy; you should probably shave.

Famille de mots

Nom
bristle
Verb
bristle
Adverbe
bristly
Adjectif
bristly
Apparenté
bristling
💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'Brush'—the 'Bristles' are the 'Bits' that 'Brush'. They are both stiff and prickly.

Quiz rapide

The toothbrush had such stiff _____ that it made my gums bleed.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : bristles

Exemples

1

The old paintbrush had lost half of its bristles, making it impossible to get a smooth finish.

everyday

The old paintbrush had lost half of its bristles, making it impossible to get a smooth finish.

2

The document specifies that the cleaning apparatus must utilize reinforced synthetic bristles to ensure longevity.

formal

The document specifies that the cleaning apparatus must utilize reinforced synthetic bristles to ensure longevity.

3

Ouch, your chin bristles are really scratchy; you should probably shave.

informal

Ouch, your chin bristles are really scratchy; you should probably shave.

4

Examination under the microscope revealed microscopic bristles on the legs of the specimen used for sensory perception.

academic

Examination under the microscope revealed microscopic bristles on the legs of the specimen used for sensory perception.

5

Our new line of grooming products features ethically sourced hog bristles for premium exfoliation.

business

Our new line of grooming products features ethically sourced hog bristles for premium exfoliation.

Famille de mots

Nom
bristle
Verb
bristle
Adverbe
bristly
Adjectif
bristly
Apparenté
bristling

Collocations courantes

stiff bristles stiff bristles
nylon bristles nylon bristles
soft bristles soft bristles
brush bristles brush bristles
synthetic bristles synthetic bristles

Phrases Courantes

to bristle with

to be full of (usually used as a verb phrase)

hog bristles

coarse hairs from a pig used in brushes

bristle brush

a brush made with stiff hairs

Souvent confondu avec

bristle vs brittle

Brittle means hard but easily broken, whereas bristle is a stiff hair.

bristle vs drizzle

Drizzle refers to light rain, whereas bristle refers to hair or texture.

📝

Notes d'usage

As a noun, 'bristle' refers specifically to the individual stiff hairs. While it can be used collectively, it is most often seen in the plural form when describing brushes or animal coats.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners sometimes confuse the noun 'bristle' with the verb 'bristle' (to react angrily or to be covered in). Ensure the context refers to a physical object if using it as a noun.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'Brush'—the 'Bristles' are the 'Bits' that 'Brush'. They are both stiff and prickly.

📖

Origine du mot

From Middle English 'brustyl', a diminutive of Old English 'byrst', meaning a stiff hair or spike.

Modèles grammaticaux

Countable noun Often used in the plural (bristles) Can be used as a compound noun (e.g., nylon-bristle brush)
🌍

Contexte culturel

In Western grooming, 'natural bristle' brushes (often boar hair) are traditionally seen as higher quality and more sustainable than plastic versions.

Quiz rapide

The toothbrush had such stiff _____ that it made my gums bleed.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : bristles

Mots lis

unknown

A1

A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.

of

A1

A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.

in

A1

A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.

it

A1

A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.

on

A1

A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.

as

A1

A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.

this

A1

Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.

by

A1

A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.

we

A1

The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

or

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.

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