barb

/bɑːb/ (bre, ipa) · /bɑːrb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbärb/ (ame, mw)

barb — noun

  • barbsingular
  • barbsplural

1. a small point that bends back on a hook, arrow, or similar object, so it stays c

1.名詞C1
釋義

a small point that bends back on a hook, arrow, or similar object, so it stays caught after going in.

例句

The hook's barb caught in Felipe's glove beside the river.

the barb of a hook

Medics cut the arrow's barb before pulling the shaft from Cyrus's leg.

cut off the barb before removal

同義詞
  • hook point

    plain descriptive phrase; less technical than 'barb'

  • spur

    can mean a projecting point, but it is broader and less specific

  • spike

    any sharp point; 'barb' specifically curves back

文法句型

the barb of a hook

cut off the barb

a barb caught in + noun

用法筆記

Usually names the small part that makes removal difficult on hooks, arrows, or barbed wire. It is more technical than a general word like 'point'.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor removed the arrow after cutting off the point.
✅The doctor removed the arrow after cutting off the barb.
💡the barb is the backward-curving point that keeps the object stuck.
❌The fish got caught on the barb wire.
✅The fish got caught on the barbed wire.
💡'barb' is the point itself; 'barbed wire' is the name of the whole wire.

2. a hooked little spike on an animal or plant that catches on skin, fur, or cloth.

2.名詞C2
釋義

a hooked little spike on an animal or plant that catches on skin, fur, or cloth.

例句

Tiny barbs on the seed pod stuck to Hoa's hiking socks.

barbs catch on cloth

Christopher pulled the burr away before its barbs caught the dog's fur.

同義詞
  • hooked spine

    descriptive phrase that emphasizes the catching shape

  • bristle

    usually thinner and hair-like, not always hooked

  • spine

    broader biological term; 'barb' stresses the hooked point

文法句型

barbs on a seed pod

barbs catch on + noun

animal or plant barbs

用法筆記

Common with seeds, burrs, rose stems, and some small animals. It focuses on a hooked catching part, not on every large thorn or spine.

常見錯誤

❌The cactus has long barbs along the whole stem.
✅The cactus has long spines along the whole stem.
💡'barb' usually means a small hooked part, not every long plant spine.
❌The burr had one big thorn that stuck to my coat.
✅The burr had tiny barbs that stuck to my coat.
💡burrs usually catch because of many small hooked points.

3. a sharp, often witty comment intended to sting or embarrass someone.

3.名詞C1
釋義

a sharp, often witty comment intended to sting or embarrass someone.

例句

At dinner, Gabriel's barb about Hiro's old phone silenced the table.

a barb about + noun

Élise answered the complaint with a barb about the manager's promises.

同義詞
  • dig

    more informal and often playful, though still hurtful

  • jibe

    close in meaning, but often sounds more mocking

  • insult

    broader everyday word; 'barb' stresses a pointed, clever sting

反義詞
  • compliment

    a remark meant to please rather than wound

  • praise

    open approval instead of a cutting comment

文法句型

throw a barb at + noun

trade barbs

a barb about + noun

用法筆記

Often appears in patterns like 'throw a barb' or 'trade barbs'. It suggests wit mixed with cruelty, not a plain angry insult.

常見錯誤

❌She gave me a barb compliment.
✅She gave me a barbed compliment.
💡use the adjective 'barbed' before a noun.
❌They barbed at each other all night.
✅They traded barbs all night.
💡this meaning usually appears as a noun phrase, not as a verb with 'at'.

4. one of the fine side branches that grow from the main stem of a feather.

4.名詞C2
釋義

one of the fine side branches that grow from the main stem of a feather.

例句

Under the lamp, Hari saw two broken barbs on the goose feather.

barbs of a feather

Mud had dried between the barbs of the duck's wing feather.

同義詞
  • feather branch

    plain explanation rather than a technical label

  • filament

    general scientific word for a fine thread-like part

文法句型

barbs of a feather

broken feather barbs

barbs lock together

用法筆記

This is a technical feather term used when describing feather structure or damage. It names the side branches, not the main central shaft.

常見錯誤

❌The bird's barb was bent down the middle.
✅The bird's feather shaft was bent down the middle.
💡the main middle line is the shaft, not a barb.
❌The feather had dirt on its barb.
✅The feather had dirt on its barbs.
💡a feather normally has many barbs, so the plural is more common.

barb — verb