Word
branded
Phoneticsbrand·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹændɪd/
UK/bɹˈændɪd/
Definitions
01to label someone negatively
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'.
“After the scandal, he was branded a liar by the local newspapers.”
“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]'.
Synonyms
02to mark a product
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.
“The company branded all their pens with the new blue logo.”
“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.
03made by a famous company
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.
“Branded goods are often more expensive than the supermarket's own version.”
“The pharmacy offers both branded medications and cheaper generic alternatives that contain the same active ingredients.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“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 .” “While a new law in September means that parents in England will have to buy fewer branded items of school uniform, costs remain high.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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