Brood
/bruːd/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
A group of young animals, especially birds, hatched at the same time.
/bruːd/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A family of offspring
A brood of ducklings followed their mother.
💡 Simply: A group of babies (animals).
More Examples
2
The hen fiercely protected her brood.
How It's Used
Animals
"The hen sat on her brood of eggs."
2
To think deeply and continuously about something that makes one unhappy or angry.
/bruːd/
verbnegativeIntermediate
General
To think deeply and anxiously about something
She brooded over the argument.
💡 Simply: To worry a lot.
More Examples
2
He brooded on his misfortune.
How It's Used
Psychology
"He brooded over his failures for weeks."
Tip:Imagine a hen brooding, deeply concerned about her eggs.
Old English *brūdan, meaning 'to breed' or 'hatch'. Related to the Old High German *bruotan.
Historically, the word primarily referred to the hatching of eggs, reflecting its etymological roots.
Memory tip
Think of a hen brooding over her eggs.
Practice
Base: brood
brodebrrood
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written