# bristle

/ˈbɹɪsəɫ/ (US) · /bɹˈɪsəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bristle
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. stiff hair

noun · CEFR B2

a short, stiff hair on an animal or a plant.

For teachers: a stiff or coarse hair found on non-human mammals or certain plants.

- The wild pig had thick, black bristles covering its back.
- The biologist noted that the specimen's bristles were remarkably rigid, serving as a primary sensory mechanism in dark environments.

### 2. brush hair

noun · CEFR B2

the stiff hairs on a brush, like a toothbrush or a hairbrush.

For teachers: the filaments that constitute the head of a brush, broom, or similar tool, whether natural or synthetic.

- The bristles on my old toothbrush are starting to bend.
- For oil painting, many artists prefer natural hog bristles because they hold a significant amount of heavy pigment.

### 5. Bristol (city)

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Humorous · Slang · Dialect

a funny way of saying the name of the English city, Bristol.

For teachers: A humorous or slang rendering of the city of Bristol, England, mimicking the local 'Bristol L' dialect feature.

- He's from Bristle, so he has a very strong local accent.
- The comedian's routine relied heavily on his 'Bristle' persona, exaggerating the local phonology for comedic effect.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific Britishism; learners should recognize it as a joke about the local accent rather than a standard name.

## Examples

- The cat has a thick coat of bristle.
- The artist used a brush with stiff bristle to create the textured background of the painting.
- The critic's latest bristle was a scathing review that dismissed the film's technical achievements in favor of attacking the director's personal life.

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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.