barb
bɑrb
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of barb - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
communicationhurtful or critical remark
  • She couldn't ignore the barb in his comment.
insult jibe taunt
2.
weaponssharp point on an arrow or fishhook
  • The barb on the fishhook made it hard to remove.
prong spike
3.
medicalTECH.side branch of a featherTECH.
  • Each barb of the feather was perfectly aligned.
prickle quill spike

Verb

tr.
1.
criticismmake a cutting remark
  • She barbed her response with a hint of sarcasm..
insult taunt
2.
fishingRareattach a small backward point to a hookRare
  • Fishermen barb their hooks to catch fish more effectively..
hook snag
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Images of barb

  • barb: sharp point on an arrow or fishhook
    sharp point on an arrow or fishhook
  • barb: hooked hair on certain fruits
    hooked hair on certain fruits
  • barb: small freshwater fish with barbels
    small freshwater fish with barbels

Expressions with barb

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sharp point used for cutting or decoration
The ant. & barb. on the arrow made it deadly..
small red freshwater fish popular in aquariums
I added a cherry barb to my aquarium.

Origin of barb

Latin, barba (beard)

Terms with barb included in their meaning

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weaponry
barb on a harpoon or arrow
fishing
spear with a barb for catching fish
fishing
harpoon with a pivoting barb for whaling
abr: barb
sharp point used for cutting or decoration
ornithology
tiny filament branching from the barb of a feather
plant
small barb or beard on plants

Examples of barb in a sentence

  • The debate was filled with barbs from both sides.
  • The arrow's barb was sharp and dangerous.
  • A barb on the hook caught the fish securely.
  • The barb of the feather caught on the fabric.
  • Scientists studied the barb structure under a microscope.
  • The barb of the seed stuck to my sock.

View all translations of barb

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:pique, piquer, ...
  2. German:Spitze, eine spitze Bemerkung machen, ...
  3. Italian:frecciata, fare un commento pungente, ...
  4. Spanish:pulla, soltar un comentario mordaz, ...
  5. Portuguese:farpa, alfinetar, ...
  6. Chinese:尖刻话, 挖苦, ...
  7. Japanese:皮肉, 辛辣な言葉を言う, ...
  8. Arabic:تَعليق لاذِع, لَسَعَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:עֲקִיצָה, לַעֲקוֹץ, ...
  10. Russian:колкость, язвить, ...
  11. Ukrainian:колючість, колоти, ...
  12. Hindi:कटाक्ष, चुभती बात कहना, ...
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