# Brooke

/ˈbɹʊk/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR A2

a common first name for a woman or a last name for any person.

For teachers: a common English surname of Middle English origin, frequently used as a feminine given name since the late 20th century.

- Brooke Smith is the new manager of the marketing department.
- The actress Brooke Shields became a household name in the 1980s after starring in several high-profile films.

### 2. a small stream

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old-fashioned way to spell 'brook', which is a small river or stream.

For teachers: an obsolete spelling of the common noun 'brook', referring to a small natural stream of fresh water.

- The old poem described a clear brooke running through the green forest.
- In the original manuscript, the author used the archaic spelling 'brooke' to describe the rivulet bordering the estate.

## Examples

- The children played by the shallow brook.
- A narrow brook winds through the bottom of the garden, providing a constant sound of running water.
- The hikers followed the course of the brook as it tumbled over mossy stones and eventually fed into the larger lake at the base of the mountain.

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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.