Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense broaches, present participle broaching, past tense, past participle broached
verb
When you broach a subject, especially a sensitive one, you mention it in order to start a discussion on it.
Eventually I broached the subject of her early life. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: bring up, approach, introduce, mention More Synonyms of broach
More Synonyms of broach
broach in British English1
(brəʊtʃ)
verb
1. (transitive)
to initiate (a topic) for discussion
to broach a dangerous subject
2. (transitive)
to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid)
to broach a cask
to broach wine
3. (transitive)
to open in order to begin to use
to broach a shipment
4. (intransitive)
to break the surface of the water
the trout broached after being hooked
5. (transitive) machinery
to enlarge and finish (a hole) by reaming
noun
6.
a long tapered toothed cutting tool for enlarging holes
7.
a spit for roasting meat, etc
8.
a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire
9.
a pin, forming part of some types of lock, that registers in the hollow bore of a key
10.
a tool used for tapping casks
11. a less common spelling of brooch
Derived forms
broacher (ˈbroacher)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French broche, from Vulgar Latin brocca (unattested), from Latin brochus projecting
broach in British English2
(brəʊtʃ)
verb
nautical(usually foll by to)
to cause (a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously or (of a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerouslyin a following sea, so as to be broadside to the waves
Word origin
C18: perhaps from broach1 in obsolete sense of turn on a spit
broach in American English
(broʊtʃ)
noun
1.
a sharp-pointed rod used to hold roasting meat; spit
2.
a tapered bit on a metal-cutting machine tool that is pulled or pushed through a hole to enlarge or shape the hole
3.
a device for tapping casks
4.
a hole made by a broach
5.
brooch
verb transitive
6.
to make a hole in so as to let out liquid; tap (a cask)
7.
to enlarge or shape (a hole) with a broach
8.
to start a discussion of; bring up; introduce
to broach a subject
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈutter
Idioms:
broach to
Derived forms
broacher (ˈbroacher)
noun
Word origin
ME broche, a pin, peg, spit < OFr broche, broc < ML brocca, a spike, point < L broccus, with projecting teeth; of Celt orig.
Examples of 'broach' in a sentence
broach
You could then broach the idea of opening a savings account for your niece.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Is there a tactful way to broach the subject?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How could we broach such a subject so early in their grief?
Christianity Today (2000)
But there can be a certain reluctance to broach the subject.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
How can we expect teachers to broach a subject that is more than likely very close to their hearts?
The Sun (2015)
It's best to set aside a special time to broach any difficult topics.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
Since you say she is already quite insecure, you need to broach this issue sensitively.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You probably won't have to broach the subject because they will come to you.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
After years of marriage you're comfortable enough with each other to broach the subject.
The Sun (2010)
This is guaranteed to become one of the go-to books when nervy parents need to broach this subject.
The Sun (2014)
I also asked if he could broach the idea of the company experimenting with a new model.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I was told before the interview not to broach the subject.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I broach the subject of fancy dress to my proud husband.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How can I broach the topic without hurting his feelings?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I didn't broach the issue again.
Duncan Hamilton Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough (2007)
I don't know how to broach the subject with her.
The Sun (2011)
How can I broach the subject with him?
The Sun (2016)
Keen only pauses for a single paragraph to broach the enormous issue of whether the internet and e-mail are actually changing the way our brains work.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If you feel they aren't then it's up to you to broach the issue.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
Word lists with
broach
architectural features, tool
In other languages
broach
British English: broach VERB
When you broach a subject, especially a sensitive one, you mention it in order to start a discussion on it.
Eventually I broached the subject of her early life.
American English: broach
Brazilian Portuguese: abordar
Chinese: 提出
European Spanish: abordar
French: aborder
German: anschneiden
Italian: affrontarediscorso
Japanese: 切り出す
Korean: > 꺼내다화제를
European Portuguese: abordar
Latin American Spanish: abordar
1 (verb)
Definition
to initiate or introduce (a topic) for discussion
Eventually I broached the subject of her early life.
Synonyms
bring up
approach
introduce
She does not abandon her responsibility to introduce new ideas.
mention
She did not mention her mother's absence.
speak of
talk of
open up
hint at
touch on
raise the subject of
2 (verb)
Definition
to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid)
Our host will now show you how to broach a barrel of maple syrup.
Synonyms
open
Let's open another bottle.
crack
pierce
Pierce the skin of the potato with a fork.
puncture
The bullet punctured his stomach.
uncork
Additional synonyms
in the sense of introduce
Definition
to present for consideration or approval
She does not abandon her responsibility to introduce new ideas.
Synonyms
suggest,
offer,
air,
table (British),
advance,
propose,
recommend,
float,
submit,
bring up,
put forward,
set forth,
ventilate,
broach,
moot
in the sense of mention
Definition
to refer to or speak about briefly or incidentally