English Reference
verb · adjective

branded

v. · adj.
US /ˈbɹændɪd/ UK /bɹˈændɪd/ brand·ed

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    v.to describe someone as being something bad, like a liar or a criminal, in a way that is hard to change.

    v.to assign a lasting and typically pejorative label to a person or group. Often used in the passive voice with 'as'.

    Simple

    After the scandal, he was branded a liar by the local newspapers.

    In context

    The whistleblower was unfairly branded a traitor by his former colleagues, despite his efforts to protect the public interest.

    Usage

    Often follows the pattern 'to be branded as [noun/adjective]'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to put a company name or logo on a product so people know who made it.

    v.to apply a brand name, logo, or trademark to a product or service to establish a market identity.

    Simple

    The company branded all their pens with the new blue logo.

    In context

    The marketing team insisted that every piece of promotional material be consistently branded to ensure immediate recognition by consumers.

    Usage

    Transitive verb taking a direct object.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    adj.describing a product made by a well-known company rather than a cheap, generic version.

    adj.denoting a product manufactured by a specific company under a particular name, typically contrasted with generic or store-brand goods.

    Simple

    Branded goods are often more expensive than the supermarket's own version.

    In context

    The pharmacy offers both branded medications and cheaper generic alternatives that contain the same active ingredients.

    name brandtrademarked
    genericunbranded

From September 2026 a new law comes into force, which will mean parents and carers in England should not have to buy more than three items of branded school uniform .

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

While a new law in September means that parents in England will have to buy fewer branded items of school uniform, costs remain high.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated