Barb

Pronunciation: /bɑrb/

Definitions of barb

noun a cutting or biting remark

Example Sentences

A1 The fisherman got a barb stuck in his finger.

A2 She used a barb to secure the fabric in place.

B1 The politician's comments were full of barbs aimed at his opponent.

B2 The comedian's sharp wit was evident in her barbed jokes.

C1 The writer's article was filled with subtle barbs directed at the government.

C2 The diplomat's barbed remarks caused tension between the two countries.

Examples of barb in a Sentence

formal The diplomat's speech was filled with subtle barbs directed towards his political opponents.

informal I can't believe she threw that barb at him during the meeting!

slang Did you see the way he dropped that barb on her? It was savage.

figurative Her words were like barbs, piercing through his defenses and leaving him vulnerable.

Grammatical Forms of barb

• past tense: barbed
• plural: barbs
• comparative: more barbed
• superlative: most barbed
• present tense: barb
• future tense: will barb
• perfect tense: have barbed
• continuous tense: is barbing
• singular: barb
• positive degree: barb
• infinitive: to barb
• gerund: barbing
• participle: barbing

Origin and Evolution of barb

First Known Use: 0014 year

Language of Origin: Old French

Story behind the word: The word 'barb' is derived from the Old French word 'barbe' meaning beard or point.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to a sharp point or beard-like projection, the term 'barb' has evolved to also mean a cutting remark or criticism that is sharp and pointed.