brushing
/brʌʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈʌʃɪŋ] /brʌʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈʌʃɪŋ] /ˈbrəsh How to pronounce brush (audio)/ (ame, mw)
brushing — verb
- brushingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- brushings3rd person singular
- brushinging-ing form
- brushingedpast simple
1. touching someone or something lightly for a moment as you move past, or passing
touching someone or something lightly for a moment as you move past, or passing close enough to graze it
Vinicius felt the curtain brushing his arm as he entered the stage door.
brushing + body part for light contact in passing
The cyclist rode past, brushing my shoulder with the edge of her bag.
Tall grass kept brushing Sana's knees during the walk to the lake.
A loose branch was brushing the bedroom window all night in the wind.
文法句型
brushing + body part/object
brushing against + surface
用法筆記
Often used when one moving thing only just touches another. Distinguish from sense 2: here the contact happens in passing, not because someone is deliberately moving dust, hair, or paint.
常見錯誤
2. moving dust, hair, paint, or another light substance with quick strokes so it go
moving dust, hair, paint, or another light substance with quick strokes so it goes where you want
Beatrix stood by the sink, brushing flour off her black skirt before dinner.
brushing + substance + off + clothing
Kenji was brushing paint onto the sign while the letters were still wet.
brushing + paint + onto + surface
The nurse kept brushing loose hair away from the patient's forehead during the exam.
Christopher was brushing snow off the steps before the first guests arrived.
文法句型
brushing + substance + off/away
brushing + substance + onto + surface
用法筆記
This sense focuses on changing where a light substance goes. It commonly takes particles such as 'off', 'away', or 'onto', and the direct object is usually dust, crumbs, hair, paint, or snow.
常見錯誤
3. cleaning or smoothing hair, clothes, teeth, or another surface by using a brush
cleaning or smoothing hair, clothes, teeth, or another surface by using a brush again and again
Adina was brushing her teeth while the kettle boiled for tea.
brushing + teeth for routine cleaning
The stable boy spent dawn brushing the horse's coat before the parade.
Hao kept brushing his jacket before the school photo began.
Lakan was brushing the dog's coat until it looked smooth and shiny.
文法句型
brushing + teeth/hair/coat
brushing + animal/object + clean
用法筆記
The object is the thing being cleaned or groomed. Unlike sense 2, the goal here is improving the surface itself rather than mainly moving a loose substance somewhere else.
常見錯誤
brushing — noun
1. the act of cleaning, arranging, or putting something on with a brush
the act of cleaning, arranging, or putting something on with a brush
A quick brushing before class got most of the cat hair off Mina's coat.
a quick brushing + result on clothing
The dentist said two minutes of brushing is better than rushing through it.
minutes of brushing for teeth-cleaning routine
After one brushing, the wet paint already looked more even.
The horse relaxed once the slow brushing of its neck began.
- grooming
broader and not limited to the use of a brush
- cleaning
general term without the brushing tool or repeated strokes
- application
fits paint or powder, but not teeth or coat care
文法句型
a brushing of + object
minutes of brushing
用法筆記
This noun can refer to grooming, tooth-cleaning, or applying something with a brush. It is common both in everyday routines ('brushing your teeth') and in descriptions of animal care or painting.
常見錯誤
2. a brief, light touch that happens when something passes against you or another s
a brief, light touch that happens when something passes against you or another surface
Sana felt a brushing on her ankle and looked down at the cat.
a brushing on + body part
The child laughed at the soft brushing of feathers across his cheek.
of-feathers phrase showing gentle contact
There was a sudden brushing against the tent wall in the dark.
One brushing of the branch against her hat left a streak of pollen.
文法句型
a brushing on + body part
a brushing against + surface
用法筆記
Usually describes a momentary touch that is soft but noticeable. It often appears with 'against' or with a body part after 'on'. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense names the contact itself, not the whole cleaning action.
常見錯誤
3. a short meeting or conflict with danger, trouble, or another group, usually with
a short meeting or conflict with danger, trouble, or another group, usually without a long struggle
The patrol reported a brushing with smugglers near the river at dawn.
a brushing with + opposing group
His first brushing with the law came after the street race.
set phrase: brushing with the law
The hikers had a brushing with a bear and left the trail early.
One brushing with bankruptcy made the shop owner far more careful.
文法句型
a brushing with + danger/group/institution
用法筆記
Often used for a close call or a minor run-in rather than a long battle. The noun after 'with' is usually danger, the law, illness, or another group you meet in a tense situation.