bristlenoun
uk/ˈbrɪs.əl/us/ˈbrɪs.əl/[ C ] a short, stiff hair, usually one of many:
The old woman had a few grey bristles sprouting from her chin.
[ C or U ] The bristles of a brush are the stiff hairs or pieces of plastic that are connected to it:
The best quality men's shaving brushes are made from badger bristle.
My toothbrush has blue and white plastic bristles.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
The skin, hair & bone of non-human animals
- -haired
- alpaca
- coat
- coated
- coney
- cony
- dander
- hairless
- hairy
- ivory
- mink
- plumage
- plumule
- prickle
- ruff
- spinneret
- vellum
- whisker
- wire-haired
- wool
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bristly
adjective uk/ˈbrɪs.li/us/ˈbrɪs.li/
He had furry eyebrows and bristly (= short, sticking up) hair.
bristleverb
uk/ˈbrɪs.əl/us/ˈbrɪs.əl/bristle verb (HAIR)
[ I ] (of hair) to stand up:
The cat's fur bristled and it arched its back.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Moving upwards
- arise
- ascend
- ascent
- be on an upward/downward trajectory idiom
- clamber
- climb
- come
- come up
- heave
- hoick
- levitate
- mount
- pull
- rear
- rise
- scale
- scramble
- shinny
- soar
- take off
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Protruding and sticking out
bristle verb (REACT ANGRILY)
to react angrily:
She bristled at the suggestion that she had in any way neglected the child.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming angry and expressing anger
- (almost) burst a blood vessel idiom
- -tempered
- ape
- ballistic
- bananas
- bay for blood idiom
- get bent out of shape idiom
- get your knickers in a twist idiom
- go ape idiom
- go nuts idiom
- go off the deep end idiom
- launch
- lose
- postal
- sharp
- storm
- tempers get frayed idiom
- turn in your grave idiom
- umbrage
- wobbly
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Phrasal verb(s)
bristle with sth