# Brock

/ˈbɹɑk/ (US) · /bɹˈɒk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brock
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a badger

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Literary · Dialect

a traditional or old-fashioned name for a badger.

For teachers: a common name for a badger, particularly a male one. Derived from Middle English 'broc', it remains in use in rural British dialects and nature writing.

- The old farmer told us that a brock had been digging near the garden fence.
- The naturalist's journal contained detailed observations of the old brock emerging from its sett under the cover of twilight.

### 2. an unpleasant person

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old, insulting word for a person who is dirty or smells bad.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a person perceived as stinking, dirty, or otherwise contemptible.

- In the old play, the villain was called a stinking brock by the hero.
- The text employs 'brock' as a biting insult, comparing the antagonist's character to the perceived musk of a wild animal.

## Examples

- The old farmer called the badger a brock.
- In the classic children's story, the character of the badger is often referred to as Old Brock.

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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.