Pronunciation: /bɑːrbd/

Definitions of barbed

verb past tense of barb, which means to provide with a barb or barbs

Example Sentences

A1 The cat barbed its claws on the scratching post.

A2 She accidentally barbed her finger on the thorn bush.

B1 The soldier barbed the wire fence to prevent intruders.

B2 The journalist's words were carefully barbed to criticize the government.

C1 Her sarcasm was so barbed that it left everyone speechless.

C2 The comedian's jokes were often barbed, but his audience loved it.

adjective having sharp points or edges that can pierce or cut

Example Sentences

A1 The cat got caught on a barbed wire fence.

A2 She accidentally touched the barbed wire and cut her hand.

B1 The barbed comments from her colleagues hurt her feelings.

B2 The barbed wire was strategically placed to deter intruders.

C1 The politician's barbed remarks sparked controversy.

C2 The author's writing style is known for its barbed wit and humor.

Examples of barbed in a Sentence

formal The barbed wire fence was installed to keep intruders out.

informal Be careful around that barbed wire, it's sharp!

slang I got a nasty cut from that barbed fence.

figurative Her words were like barbed arrows, piercing through his defenses.

Grammatical Forms of barbed

past tense

barbed

plural

barbs

comparative

more barbed

superlative

most barbed

present tense

barb

future tense

will barb

perfect tense

have barbed

continuous tense

am barbing

singular

barb

positive degree

barbed

infinitive

to barb

gerund

barbing

participle

barbing

Origin and Evolution of barbed

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'barbed' originated from the Old French word 'barbelé' which means 'barbed, hooked'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'barbed' has retained its basic meaning of having sharp points or projections, but it has also been extended to describe anything sharp or pointed, both physically and metaphorically.