brother

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion Formal

n. a man who belongs to a religious group, like a monk.

n. a male member of a religious order who has not been ordained as a priest.

“The brothers at the monastery spend their mornings in quiet prayer.”

“Brother Thomas has dedicated his life to the service of the poor within the local parish community.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a man who shares the same ideas, goals, or background as you.

n. a male comrade or associate linked by a common cause, ethnicity, or shared experience.

“We have been through a lot together; he is like a brother to me.”

“The soldiers viewed each other as brothers after enduring the hardships of the winter campaign together.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal · Slang

n. a friendly way to talk to another man.

n. a familiar or colloquial form of address used between men, often implying solidarity.

“Hey brother, can you tell me the way to the train station?”

“Listen, brother, I appreciate the advice, but I need to make this decision on my own.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal · American English

interj. a word you say when you are annoyed or surprised.

interj. an exclamation used to express frustration, exasperation, or disbelief.

“Oh brother, I forgot my keys in the car again.”

“Oh brother, not another meeting about the office coffee machine.”