brooch
A brooch is a decorative piece of jewelry that is designed to be attached to a person's clothing. It features a pin on the back to fasten it securely to a garment, often serving as both an ornament and a functional clasp.
Examples
3 of 5She wore a small silver brooch on her cardigan for the family dinner.
She had a tiny silver pin attached to her sweater for the family meal.
The dignitary arrived wearing a diamond-encrusted brooch representing her national crest.
The official came wearing a pin covered in diamonds that showed her country's symbol.
I found this cool vintage brooch at the flea market for just two dollars!
I discovered this stylish old-fashioned pin at the outdoor market for a very low price.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'oo' in 'brooch' as two round jewels or two eyes looking at the beautiful pin on your shirt.
Quick Quiz
For her wedding, she decided to wear her grandmother's antique ________ pinned to her lace dress.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brooch
Examples
She wore a small silver brooch on her cardigan for the family dinner.
everydayShe had a tiny silver pin attached to her sweater for the family meal.
The dignitary arrived wearing a diamond-encrusted brooch representing her national crest.
formalThe official came wearing a pin covered in diamonds that showed her country's symbol.
I found this cool vintage brooch at the flea market for just two dollars!
informalI discovered this stylish old-fashioned pin at the outdoor market for a very low price.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the ornate brooch was a marker of high social status in Iron Age societies.
academicHistorical findings show that the decorated pin was a sign of wealth in ancient times.
The corporate dress code allows for subtle accessories such as a simple gold brooch on a blazer.
businessThe company rules permit modest jewelry like a plain gold pin on a suit jacket.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
antique brooch
a valuable old decorative pin
cameo brooch
a pin featuring a carved profile of a face
safety-pin brooch
a decorative pin styled like a safety pin
Often Confused With
Broach is a verb meaning to bring up a difficult subject for discussion, whereas brooch is a noun for jewelry.
Usage Notes
A brooch is almost always worn on the upper part of a garment, typically on a lapel or the chest area. While traditionally associated with older fashion, it is frequently used in contemporary styling to add personality to coats and scarves.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is misspelling the jewelry item as 'broach.' Remember that 'broach' relates to speech, while 'brooch' relates to clothing.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'oo' in 'brooch' as two round jewels or two eyes looking at the beautiful pin on your shirt.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'broche', meaning a long needle or a spit for roasting meat, referring to the pin on the back.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, brooches are often kept as family heirlooms and are frequently worn by members of royalty to convey subtle political or personal messages.
Quick Quiz
For her wedding, she decided to wear her grandmother's antique ________ pinned to her lace dress.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brooch
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