# brooch

/ˈbɹoʊtʃ/ (US) · /bɹˈəʊtʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brooch
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a piece of jewelry with a pin on the back. You wear it on your clothes, like a jacket or a dress, to look nice or to hold a scarf in place.

For teachers: an ornamental piece of jewellery designed to be attached to a garment by a pin or clasp. Often used as a decorative accessory or to fasten clothing items like shawls.

## Examples

- She wore a silver brooch on her coat.
- The antique brooch was passed down through three generations and is now worn only on special occasions.
- The curator carefully displayed the Victorian brooch, noting how the intricate gold filigree and small pearls reflected the craftsmanship of the mid-nineteenth century.

## Usage notes

- Commonly worn on the lapel of a jacket or the shoulder of a dress.

---

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.