# brow

/ˈbɹaʊ/ (US) · /bɹˈaʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brow
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the forehead

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the part of your face above your eyes.

For teachers: the forehead, often used in literature to describe a person's expression or state of mind.

- He wiped the sweat from his brow after working in the garden all afternoon.
- A deep furrow appeared on her brow as she struggled to decipher the cryptic instructions left by her predecessor.

### 2. the eyebrow

noun · CEFR B2

the line of hair above your eye.

For teachers: the eyebrow or the bony ridge located directly above the eye socket.

- She raised a brow in surprise when she heard the unexpected news.
- The boxer suffered a deep laceration above his left brow, forcing the referee to pause the match for a medical evaluation.

### 3. top of a hill

noun · CEFR B2

the very top edge of a hill or a steep slope.

For teachers: the projecting upper edge of a steep place, such as a hill or a cliff.

- As we reached the brow of the hill, we saw the ocean for the first time.
- The hikers paused at the brow of the ridge to catch their breath and admire the panoramic view of the valley below.

### 4. ship's gangway

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a bridge or ramp used to walk between a ship and the land.

For teachers: a portable bridge or gangway used for boarding or disembarking from a vessel alongside a quay.

- The sailors lowered the brow so the passengers could walk onto the pier.
- The captain ordered the crew to secure the brow firmly to the wharf before allowing the heavy equipment to be rolled ashore.

## Examples

- She raised her brow in surprise.
- He furrowed his brow while trying to solve the difficult math problem.
- The subtle arch of her brow conveyed a skepticism that words alone could not fully capture.

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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.