Confusing Words: Broach (verb) and Brooch (noun)
Meaning:
Broach (raise (a difficult subject) for discussion.)
Brooch (an ornament fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch.)
Broach vs Brooch Clarification: Both word are homophones i.e. they are pronounced in the same manner. However, the two words carry completely different meanings.
Broach vs Brooch – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Broach and brooch are called homophones. It means that they sound exactly same but they are different in terms of their meanings. Even their functions, within sentences, are not similar.
The confusion takes place just because of their pronunciation. I will define each word and use these words in example sentences. In this way, it will be easy for you to differentiate between broach and brooch.
Broach
Broach is used as a verb within sentences. It means to begin, to introduce, or to raise a subject (mainly difficult) for discussion.
1. In the meeting, nobody was willing to braoch the most sensitive topic of the previous day.
2. I confidently broached, “May you please repeat it?”
3. How do you broach the subject of slavery with a child? (WDET)
Broach can also be used to refer to the act of piercing (a cask) to draw out liquid.
However, this meaning is not very commonly used. Other than this meaning, the above meaning is used very commonly among writers or speakers.
Brooch
Brooch is used as a noun within sentences. It is used to refer to an ornament or a piece of jewellery attached by a pin and is usually fastened to a woman’s clothes.
1. She was expecting that her husband will give her a gold brooch as her birthday present.
2. A small silver brooch gave her dress a perfect look.
3. Yet Adele’s potential rivalry with her beloved ‘Queen Bey’ was totally dispelled at Sunday night’s 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as she appeared to pledge her support for her hero by sporting a brooch in the shape of a lemon – in an apparent nod to Beyonce’s album Lemonade. (Daily Mail)
Check Out: Difference Between Coma and Comma.
Did You Get The Difference?
So, it has been clear that broach and brooch are two different words with different meanings and functions within sentences. Broach is used as a verb whereas, brooch is used as a noun within sentences.
Broach = Verb
Brooch = Noun
As, broach and brooch are homophones. It means that their pronunciation should be same. Their pronunciation should be like “-roach” in cockroach.
Mostly, people pronounce brooch as spook (with long uː sound), which is wrong.
What Did You Learn?
It is concluded that broach and brooch are homophones that are pronounced exactly same but they have differences in meaning and function.
Broach: It is used as a verb that means to raise a subject for discussion.
Brooch: It is a noun which is used to refer to a piece of jewelry fastened to clothing.