# barb

/ˈbɑɹb/ (US) · /bˈɑːb/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barb
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a sharp, often witty remark that hurts someone's feelings. It is like a verbal sting that is quick and pointed.

For teachers: a sharp, pointed, or stinging remark, often witty or sarcastic in tone. Metaphorical extension of the physical thorn.

## Examples

- His comment was a sharp barb aimed at her work.
- She hid her disappointment behind a smile, but her words carried a barb that silenced the room.
- The critic's review was laced with barbs, dissecting the play's flaws with surgical precision and biting wit.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.