# brad

/ˈbɹæd/ (US) · /bɹˈæd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. small nail

noun · CEFR B2

a very thin, small nail that is easy to hide in wood because it has a tiny head.

For teachers: a slender wire nail with a minimal head, designed to be driven flush with or below the surface of wood to remain inconspicuous.

- He used a small brad to attach the thin trim to the cabinet door.
- The carpenter selected a one-inch brad to secure the delicate moulding, ensuring the head would not split the fine grain of the oak.

### 2. paper fastener

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a metal pin with two flat legs that you push through paper and bend back to hold pages together.

For teachers: a stationery fastener consisting of a round head and two flat, flexible metal prongs that are spread apart after insertion.

- She pushed the brass brad through the holes in the report and flattened the ends.
- The script was held together by a single heavy-duty brad in the top left corner, allowing the pages to rotate easily during the rehearsal.

## Examples

- My friend Brad lives in London.
- The manager asked Brad to lead the meeting because he has the most experience with the new software.
- While the name Brad was exceptionally popular in the mid-twentieth century, it remains a staple of English-speaking cultures as both a formal name and a casual nickname.

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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.