Word
brownish
Phoneticsbrown·ish, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹaʊnɪʃ/
UK/bɹˈaʊnɪʃ/
Definition
adj. having a color that is almost brown but not quite. You use this to describe something that looks a little bit like brown.
adj. having a color that is somewhat brown or tinged with brown. The suffix '-ish' functions as a moderating element to indicate an approximate or imprecise quality.
Examples
“The old paper has a brownish color.”
“The river turned a brownish color after the heavy rain washed soil into the water.”
“The artist used a brownish glaze to give the new furniture an antique appearance, mimicking the natural patina of aged oak.”
Examples
simple
“The old paper has a brownish color.”
contextual
“The river turned a brownish color after the heavy rain washed soil into the water.”
complex
“The artist used a brownish glaze to give the new furniture an antique appearance, mimicking the natural patina of aged oak.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'look' or 'turn'.
Etymology
From brown + -ish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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