brogue
To speak with a strong regional accent, typically an Irish or Scottish one, or to fit a person or shoe with traditional heavy leather decorative patterns. As a verb, it describes the act of imbuing speech with a melodic lilt or wearing sturdy, perforated footwear.
Examples
3 of 5He brogued his words slightly to emphasize his heritage during the family reunion.
He brogued his words slightly to emphasize his heritage during the family reunion.
The orator's delivery was heavily brogued, which lent an air of traditional authority to the ceremony.
The orator's delivery was heavily brogued, which lent an air of traditional authority to the ceremony.
Stop trying to brogue your accent just because we're visiting Edinburgh!
Stop trying to brogue your accent just because we're visiting Edinburgh!
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an Irish 'bróg' (shoe) walking on a 'broken' path; the rough texture of the path matches the rough, textured sound of the accent.
Quick Quiz
The actor __________ his delivery to sound more like a native of West Cork for the film role.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brogued
Examples
He brogued his words slightly to emphasize his heritage during the family reunion.
everydayHe brogued his words slightly to emphasize his heritage during the family reunion.
The orator's delivery was heavily brogued, which lent an air of traditional authority to the ceremony.
formalThe orator's delivery was heavily brogued, which lent an air of traditional authority to the ceremony.
Stop trying to brogue your accent just because we're visiting Edinburgh!
informalStop trying to brogue your accent just because we're visiting Edinburgh!
In his sociolinguistic study, Miller notes how the speaker brogued certain vowels to signal regional solidarity.
academicIn his sociolinguistic study, Miller notes how the speaker brogued certain vowels to signal regional solidarity.
The marketing team decided to brogue the voiceover in the commercial to appeal to rural demographics.
businessThe marketing team decided to brogue the voiceover in the commercial to appeal to rural demographics.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a touch of the brogue
a slight regional accent
thick as a brogue
having a very strong, heavy accent
brogued to the nines
wearing fancy, perforated leather shoes
Often Confused With
Broach means to bring up a sensitive subject for discussion, whereas brogue refers to speech or shoes.
Vogue refers to fashion or popularity, while brogue is a specific type of shoe or accent.
Usage Notes
While 'brogue' is almost exclusively used as a noun, the verb form appears in literary or specialized linguistic contexts to describe the modification of speech or the crafting of shoes. Use it sparingly as a verb to avoid sounding archaic.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistake 'brogue' for any accent, but it specifically refers to Irish, Scottish, or very rural English styles. Also, avoid using it as a verb for simple 'speaking'; it implies a very specific melodic quality.
Memory Tip
Think of an Irish 'bróg' (shoe) walking on a 'broken' path; the rough texture of the path matches the rough, textured sound of the accent.
Word Origin
Derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic word 'bróg', meaning 'shoe', originally referring to the rough untanned leather shoes worn by highlanders.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The term carries strong cultural associations with Irish identity and is often used affectionately, though it was historically used by the English to mock rural Celtic speakers.
Quick Quiz
The actor __________ his delivery to sound more like a native of West Cork for the film role.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brogued
Related Words
to
A1Used 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1This 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
A1The 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
A1Used 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1Used 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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