brew
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to make a hot drink by letting tea leaves or coffee sit in hot water.
to prepare a beverage by steeping or infusing ingredients in hot water.
Simple“I will brew a fresh pot of tea while we wait for the others to arrive.”
In context“She preferred to brew her coffee using a French press, believing it extracted a richer flavour than a standard drip machine.”
UsageOften used with 'up' in informal contexts.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
to make beer using grain and yeast.
to produce beer by steeping a starch source in water and fermenting the resulting liquid.
Simple“My uncle started to brew his own beer in the garage last year.”
In context“The monastery has continued to brew traditional ales for centuries, following a recipe that remains a closely guarded secret.”
Synonymsfermentdistill - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to start to form or develop, usually said about a storm or a problem.
to be in a state of preparation or gathering; used of weather or social/political unrest.
Simple“I think a storm is brewing because the sky is getting very dark.”
In context“Political analysts warned that a major crisis was brewing in the region long before the first protests actually began.”
UsageUsually used in the continuous 'brewing' form.