26984 words

brush

18 definitions • 31 examples
1
an object with short pieces of stiff hair, plastic, or wire attached to a base or handle, used for cleaning, arranging your hair, or painting:

Examples:

I can't find my brush, but I still have my comb.
You'll need a stiff brush to scrape off the rust.
a clothes brush
a scrubbing (US scrub) brush
a pastry brush
2
used as a combining form:

Examples:

a paintbrush
3
an act of cleaning with a brush:

Examples:

These shoes need a good brush.
Don't forget to give your hair a brush before you go out.
4

Examples:

He felt the brush of her hand on his.
5
a situation in which you experience something, or almost experience something, especially something unpleasant:

Examples:

have a brush with death Jim had a brush with death (= was nearly killed) on the motorway.
6
small, low bushes or the rough land they grow on:

Examples:

We spotted a jackrabbit hidden in the brush.
7
→
8
the tail of a fox
9
to touch (something) quickly and lightly or carelessly:

Examples:

brush against Charlotte brushed against him as she left the room.
His lips gently brushed her cheek and he was gone.
10
to move something somewhere using a brush or your hand:

Examples:

Jackie brushed the hair out of her eyes.
brush something away He brushed away a tear.
She stood up and brushed the wrinkles from her dress.
11
to clean something or make something smooth with a brush:

Examples:

brush your teeth When did he last brush his teeth, she wondered.
brush your hair She brushed her hair with long, regular strokes.
[ + obj + adj ] My trousers got covered in mud, but luckily I was able to brush them clean.
12
any of various utensils consisting of hairs or fibers arranged in rows or grouped together, attached to a handle, and used for smoothing the hair, cleaning things, painting, etc.:

Examples:

I need a better brush for my hair.
13
Brush is often used as a combining form:

Examples:

paintbrush
14
low, dense bushes that grow on open land:

Examples:

The river banks were covered with brush.
15
A brush with something or someone is a close and usually unpleasant meeting:

Examples:

16
to touch something lightly:

Examples:

[ T ] A warm gust of wind brushed my cheek.
[ I ] The cat brushed against my leg.
17
to remove or improve the appearance of something using your hand or a brush:

Examples:

She brushed a strand of hair from her face.
She brushed her hair.
18
To brush your teeth is to clean them using a small brush and toothpaste.

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