Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [bahrb]
- /bɑrb/
- /bɑːb/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [bahrb]
- /bɑrb/
Definitions of barb word
- countable noun barb A barb is a sharp curved point near the end of an arrow or fish-hook which makes it difficult to pull out. 3
- countable noun barb A barb is an unkind remark meant as a criticism of someone or something. 3
- noun barb a subsidiary point facing in the opposite direction to the main point of a fish-hook, harpoon, arrow, etc, intended to make extraction difficult 3
- noun barb any of various pointed parts, as on barbed wire 3
- noun barb a cutting remark; gibe 3
- noun barb any of the numerous hairlike filaments that form the vane of a feather 3
Information block about the term
Origin of barb
First appearance:
before 1300 One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English barbe < Middle French ≪ Latin barba beard or beardlike projection
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Barb
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
barb popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
barb usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for barb
noun barb
- arrow — An arrow is a written or printed sign that consists of a straight line with another line bent at a sharp angle at one end. This is a printed arrow: →. The arrow points in a particular direction to indicate where something is.
- dart — If a person or animal darts somewhere, they move there suddenly and quickly.
- shaft — a long pole forming the body of various weapons, as lances, halberds, or arrows.
- thorn — German name of Toruń.
- prickle — a sharp point.
Antonyms for barb
noun barb
- praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
- kindness — the state or quality of being kind: kindness to animals.
- compliment — A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
Top questions with barb
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