B2 noun Neutre

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.

Exemples

3 sur 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.

Famille de mots

Nom
brush
Verb
brush
Adjectif
brushed
Apparenté
brushing
💡

Astuce mémo

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

Quiz rapide

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

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : brush

Exemples

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.

Famille de mots

Nom
brush
Verb
brush
Adjectif
brushed
Apparenté
brushing

Collocations courantes

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

Phrases Courantes

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)

Souvent confondu avec

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.

📝

Notes d'usage

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

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

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'.

💡

Astuce mémo

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

📖

Origine du mot

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

Modèles grammaticaux

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

Contexte culturel

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

Quiz rapide

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

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : brush

Mots lis

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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