A barb is a sharp curved point near the end of an arrow or fish-hook which makes it difficult to pull out.
2. countable noun
A barb is an unkind remark meant as a criticism of someone or something.
The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would.
Synonyms: dig, abuse, slight, insult More Synonyms of barb
More Synonyms of barb
barb in British English1
(bɑːb)
noun
1.
a subsidiary point facing in the opposite direction to the main point of a fish-hook, harpoon, arrow, etc, intended to make extraction difficult
2.
any of various pointed parts, as on barbed wire
3.
a cutting remark; gibe
4.
any of the numerous hairlike filaments that form the vane of a feather
5.
a beardlike growth in certain animals
6.
a hooked hair or projection on certain fruits
7.
any small cyprinid fish of the genus Barbus (or Puntius) and related genera, such as B. conchonius (rosy barb)
8. (usually plural)
any of the small fleshy protuberances beneath the tongue in horses and cattle
9.
a white linen cloth forming part of a headdress extending from the chin to the upper chest, originally worn by women in the Middle Ages, now worn by nuns of some orders
10. obsolete
a beard
verb
11. (transitive)
to provide with a barb or barbs
Derived forms
barbed
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French barbe beard, point, from Latin barba beard
barb in British English2
(bɑːb)
noun
(often capital)
a breed of horse of North African origin, similar to the Arab but less spirited
Word origin
C17: from French barbe, from Italian barbero a Barbary (horse)
barb in British English3
(bɑːb)
noun
Australian
a black kelpie
kelpie1
Word origin
C19: named after one that was named Barb after a winning racehorse
BARB in British English
(bɑːb)
noun acronym for(in Britain)
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
barb in American English1
(bɑrb)
noun
1.
a thin, somewhat beardlike growth near the mouth of certain animals, as the barbel of a fish
2.
a piece of white linen for covering the throat and sometimes the chin, worn by certain nuns
3.
a sharp point curving or projecting in an opposite direction from the main point of a fishhook, arrow, etc.
4.
a cutting remark
5.
one of the hairlike branches on the shaft of a feather
6. Botany
a hooked hair or bristle
verb transitive
7.
to provide with a barb
Word origin
ME & OFr barbe < L barba, beard
barb in American English2
(bɑrb)
noun
1.
a horse of a breed native to N Africa, noted for speed and strength
2.
a breed of pigeon similar to the carrier pigeon
Word origin
Fr barbe, Barbary horse < It barbero < Ar Barbar, Berber
Examples of 'barb' in a sentence
barb
The most effective barbs are delivered amid a raft of compliments.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The council members seemed wounded by some of the barbs thrown their way.
Christianity Today (2000)
He will often stand in the background and throw in barbs when she talks.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One would have captained the basketball team, the other thrown barbs from the sidelines.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The barbs were fired directly at the head, chest, neck and shoulder.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But I have thrown some of the sharpest intellectual barbs in my life at guys chasing me down the street with a camera.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
1 (noun)
Definition
a point facing in the opposite direction to the main point of a fish-hook, harpoon, etc.
Apply gentle pressure on the barb with the point of the pliers.
Synonyms
point
the point of a knife
spur
needle
spike
a 15-foot wall topped with iron spikes
spine
Carry a pair of thick gloves to protect you from hedgehog spines.
thorn
Roses will always have thorns, but with care they can be avoided.
bristle
It has a short stumpy tail covered with bristles.
quill
prickle
an erect stem covered at the base with prickles
tine
prong
Mark the loaf with the prongs of a fork.
2 (noun)
Definition
a cutting remark
The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would.
Synonyms
dig
She couldn't resist a dig at him after his unfortunate performance.
abuse
slight
a child weeping over an imagined slight
insult
Some of the officers shouted insults at prisoners on the roof.
put-down
She was getting very sick of his put-downs.
snub
He took it as a snub.
sneer
scoff
rebuff
The results of the poll dealt a humiliating rebuff to Mr Jones.
affront
She has taken my enquiry as a personal affront.
slap in the face (informal)
gibe
aspersion
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affront
Definition
a deliberate insult
She has taken my enquiry as a personal affront.
Synonyms
insult,
wrong,
injury,
abuse,
offence,
slight,
outrage,
provocation,
slur,
indignity,
slap in the face (informal),
vexation
in the sense of bristle
Definition
something resembling these hairs
It has a short stumpy tail covered with bristles.
Synonyms
point,
spur,
needle,
spike,
spine,
thorn,
barb,
prickle
in the sense of insult
Definition
an offensive remark or action
Some of the officers shouted insults at prisoners on the roof.