Meaning & use

Burr

noun·Everyday

Last updated

A rough edge or ridge left on a piece of metal, plastic, or wood after it has been cut, drilled, or molded.

See it in a sentence

The machinist filed away the burr on the freshly cut metal plate.

A tiny burr on the blade's edge caused it to snag the fabric.

A note on using this word

"Burr" also names the prickly seed case that clings to fur and clothing, and describes the rolling pronunciation of "r" in certain regional accents, such as a Scottish burr.

Words with a similar meaning

ridgerough edge

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

smooth edge

Another way to use it

2. noun

A prickly seed case or dry fruit that clings to fur, hair, or clothing.

After hiking through the field, his socks were covered in burrs.

3. noun

A strong, rolling pronunciation of the letter "r," characteristic of certain regional accents.

You could hear the Scottish burr in his voice as he greeted us.

Make it your own

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