Meaning & use
branched
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“branched” is a form of “branch”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Having parts that divide off from a main stem or line.
Grammar: Used before a noun: 'a branched structure'. No comparative form.
Patterns
- a branched structure
- highly branched
The plant has a highly branched root system.
Scientists studied the branched shape of the molecule.
verbintransitive
Past tense of 'branch': divided into smaller parts or took a new direction.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'off' or 'into': 'the road branched off'.
Patterns
- branched off
- branched into
- branched out
The path branched off to the left near the lake.
The company branched into new markets last year.
Word forms
| base form | branch |
|---|---|
| third person singular | branches |
| past tense | branched |
| past participle | branched |
| -ing form | branching |
Common combinations
- branched off
- The side road branched off just after the bridge.
- branched out
- The small shop branched out into online sales.
- highly branched
- The coral has a highly branched skeleton.
- branched into
- The river branched into three channels at the delta.
Synonyms and how they differ
- forked
- Describes something divided into two parts, like a fork; 'branched' can mean more than two divisions.
- divided
- More general; 'branched' suggests a main stem with smaller parts coming off it.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: branched or brunched?
branched vs brunched
The past tense of 'brunch' (ate brunch); 'branched' is from 'branch' and has a different vowel sound.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'branched' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Branched' is the past tense, so it fits a past action. Option B uses the present 'branches' with 'yesterday', and C and D are not grammatical forms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “branched”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.