bred
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the past tense of 'breed' — used when animals were raised or plants were grown for a specific purpose.
the past tense and past participle of 'breed', referring to the controlled reproduction of animals or plants to produce specific traits.
Simple“These dogs were originally bred to help farmers herd sheep in the mountains.”
In context“The laboratory developed a new strain of wheat that was specifically bred for its resistance to drought and common fungal infections.”
UsageAs a past participle, it often functions as an adjective describing the origin or purpose of an organism.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
used to describe the way someone was raised or the environment they grew up in.
the past participle of 'breed', used to denote a person's upbringing, social background, or ingrained manners.
Simple“He was born and bred in a small fishing village on the coast.”
In context“Her quiet confidence suggested she was well bred, possessing a natural grace that only comes from a disciplined upbringing.”
UsageCommonly found in the fixed idiom 'born and bred' to emphasize a person's lifelong connection to a place.