broom Hear it!

broom Definition

broom (bro̵̅o̅m, bro̵om)

noun

  1. any of a group of flowering shrubs (esp. genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium) of the pea family, often grown for their abundant, usually yellow, flowers
  2. a bundle of long, stiff fibers or straws (originally twigs of broom) fastened to a long handle, used for sweeping

Etymology: ME & OE brom, brushwood < IE base *bh(e)rem-, to project, a point > berm, bramble

transitive verb

to sweep as with a broom

broom Synonyms

broom

n.

sweeper, besom, whisk, whisk broom, mop, feather duster, brush, swab, floor brush, electric broom, carpet sweeper.

broom Usage Examples

Possessives

witch: A witch's broom can also be used for sweeping the floor to expose a trapdoor.

Converse of object

  • carry: Some ' busses to-day carried a broom on deck like Van Tromp.
  • use: Using a soft broom, sweep the vinyl flat, working out any air bubbles.
  • make: She was brushing away her tracks at the same time with a broom made of cats.
  • take: She lights a candle; takes a broom; sweeps under all the cupboards.
  • have: The giant had a broom, and was cleaning up and fixing around, diligently.

Adjective modifier

  • stiff: All decks will benefit from regular brushing with a good stiff broom on a frequent basis throughout the year.
  • yellow: The view out over the loch from our terrace is fantastic today - sparkling blue against a backdrop of a yellow broom covered hillside.
  • soft: Using a soft broom, sweep the vinyl flat, working out any air bubbles.
  • new: Comments: New broom honest, i'm not really thinking of the wizard of oz.
  • old: Those must have been some miracle bristles on your old broom.

Modifies a noun

  • cupboard: She guessed she must be facing the broom cupboard for a reason.
  • closet: Pagans have been in the " broom closet " for centuries.
  • bush: It takes its name from the gorse or broom bushes which once covered the area.
  • sweep: As the saying goes " a new broom sweeps clean " , but not too clean, we hope!
  • stick: Just say Stay whenever you lift a broom stick or a gun to your eye.
  • head: The enrichment items used were a ball of hay, a football, and a broom head scented with vanilla essence.

Noun used with modifier

  • besom: Fill in any cracks between turfs with a mixture of soil and sand - brush this in with a besom broom or yard broom.
  • witch: Nobody complained of course as we were on our way home and we would have settled for a witches broom.
  • yard: The long handle of a pitchfork or yard broom.