brier

word

Definition

A brier is a type of wild, thorny bush, especially one with woody stems, such as a rosebush or bramble. It can also refer to a special wood used to make tobacco pipes.

Usage & Nuances

Mainly used in literary or botanical contexts; 'brier' often refers to wild, thorny shrubs, but in the context of pipes, it points to the root of the heath plant. In American English, 'brier' often means bramble; in British English, 'briar' (alternate spelling) is also common.

Example Sentences

Be careful, there is a brier bush next to the path.

basic

My mother picked blackberries from a brier.

basic

He has a pipe made from brier wood.

basic

Her dress got snagged on a brier as she walked through the woods.

natural

The old garden was overgrown with brier and weeds.

natural

They carefully cleared the walking trail of briers so no one would get hurt.

natural