B2 adjective Neutral

bread

/brɛd/

A primary food staple made from flour or meal that is moistened, kneaded, and baked. In a broader sociopolitical or academic context, it often symbolizes basic sustenance, livelihood, or the fundamental requirements for human survival.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need to stop by the bakery to pick up a fresh loaf of whole-grain bread for dinner.

I need to stop by the bakery to pick up a fresh loaf of whole-grain bread for dinner.

2

The state's primary responsibility during the crisis was to ensure the equitable distribution of bread and water.

The state's primary responsibility during the crisis was to ensure the equitable distribution of bread and water.

3

I'm just working this extra shift to get some extra bread for my holiday trip.

I'm just working this extra shift to get some extra bread for my holiday trip.

Word Family

Noun
bread
Verb
bread
Adjective
breaded
Related
breadwinner
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'B' in bread standing for 'Basic'—it is the most basic food in many cultures.

Quick Quiz

The consultant explained that digital marketing was the company's ____ and butter, providing most of their income.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bread

Examples

1

I need to stop by the bakery to pick up a fresh loaf of whole-grain bread for dinner.

everyday

I need to stop by the bakery to pick up a fresh loaf of whole-grain bread for dinner.

2

The state's primary responsibility during the crisis was to ensure the equitable distribution of bread and water.

formal

The state's primary responsibility during the crisis was to ensure the equitable distribution of bread and water.

3

I'm just working this extra shift to get some extra bread for my holiday trip.

informal

I'm just working this extra shift to get some extra bread for my holiday trip.

4

Sociological studies often utilize the price of bread as a key metric for measuring urban economic distress.

academic

Sociological studies often utilize the price of bread as a key metric for measuring urban economic distress.

5

The company’s bread-and-butter product continues to generate steady revenue despite market volatility.

business

The company’s bread-and-butter product continues to generate steady revenue despite market volatility.

Word Family

Noun
bread
Verb
bread
Adjective
breaded
Related
breadwinner

Common Collocations

loaf of bread loaf of bread
stale bread stale bread
break bread break bread
bread and butter bread and butter
whole-wheat bread whole-wheat bread

Common Phrases

The best thing since sliced bread

The best thing since sliced bread

Know which side your bread is buttered on

Know which side your bread is buttered on

Take the bread out of someone's mouth

Take the bread out of someone's mouth

Often Confused With

bread vs bred

Bred is the past tense of the verb 'breed' (e.g., pure-bred dogs), whereas bread is the food.

bread vs breadth

Breadth refers to the width or extent of something, not the food.

📝

Usage Notes

In English, 'bread' is an uncountable (mass) noun. To refer to a single unit, you must use a counter like 'a loaf of' or 'a slice of'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly say 'a bread' or 'two breads' instead of 'a piece of bread' or 'two loaves of bread'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'B' in bread standing for 'Basic'—it is the most basic food in many cultures.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English 'bread', which originally meant 'morsel', 'crumb', or 'piece of food'.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun Used with 'a loaf of' or 'a slice of' Functions as an attributive noun in compounds (e.g., bread knife)
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, bread is a symbol of life and shared community, hence the phrase 'to break bread' meaning to eat together in friendship.

Quick Quiz

The consultant explained that digital marketing was the company's ____ and butter, providing most of their income.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bread

Related Words

exarchness

C1

The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.

perihumer

C1

A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.

microfluship

C1

A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.

antiponness

C1

The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.

forenumerary

C1

Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.

detangite

C1

To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.

unitangine

C1

Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.

enjectment

C1

Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.

invertite

C1

Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.

malteghood

C1

Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.

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