Meaning & use
a barb
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Meanings
nouncountable
A sharp point that sticks backward from a hook, arrow, or fence, making it hard to remove.
Grammar: Countable: one barb, two barbs.
Patterns
- the barb of a hook
- a barb on a fence
- barbs on an arrow
The barb on the fishhook made it difficult to pull out.
He climbed over the fence and tore his shirt on a barb.
The arrow had barbs that pointed backward.
nouncountablefigurative
A remark that is clever but unkind, intended to hurt or criticize someone.
Grammar: Countable: often used in the plural, 'barbs'.
Patterns
- a barb about someone
- trade barbs with someone
- a barbed remark
Her speech was full of barbs about her rivals.
He traded barbs with the interviewer.
The barb hurt more than she expected.
Word forms
| plural | barbs |
|---|
Common combinations
- sharp barb
- The sharp barb on the wire cut his hand.
- barbed wire
- The field was surrounded by barbed wire.
- trade barbs
- The two politicians traded barbs during the debate.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- barbed adjective
- Having a barb or barbs; also used for a remark that is sharply critical.
Commonly confused: a barb or barb?
a barb vs barb
Not to be confused with 'barb' as a shortening of 'barbiturate' (a drug), which is rare and technical.
Practice
The fishhook has a ___ that makes it hard to remove.
Choose one answer.
'Barb' is the noun for the sharp point. 'Barbed' is an adjective, 'barber' is a person who cuts hair, and 'barbie' is a barbecue or a doll.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a barb”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.