# brushed

/ˈbɹəʃt/ (US) · /bɹˈʌʃt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. cleaned or tidied

verb · CEFR A2

used a brush to clean or tidy something, like your hair or teeth.

For teachers: the past tense of 'brush', indicating the act of cleaning, smoothing, or grooming with a tool consisting of bristles.

- He brushed his teeth for two minutes before going to bed.
- She brushed her hair until it shone, removing the tangles that had formed during her long walk in the wind.

### 2. touched lightly

verb · CEFR B1

touched something very lightly while moving past it.

For teachers: the past tense of 'brush', indicating a light, glancing contact against a surface while in motion.

- The cat's tail brushed against my leg as it walked past.
- The branches brushed against the side of the car as we drove down the narrow, overgrown country lane.

### 3. soft fabric or metal

adjective · CEFR B2

having a soft, fuzzy surface or a smooth, dull finish.

For teachers: describing a material surface that has been treated with an abrasive to create a nap or a matte, non-reflective finish.

- This brushed cotton shirt is very warm and soft to the touch.
- The interior designer recommended brushed steel fixtures to avoid the glare and fingerprints associated with polished chrome.

### 4. bees moved by hand

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing bees that have been moved off a honeycomb using a soft brush.

For teachers: referring to a swarm or colony of bees that has been artificially formed by brushing the insects off the comb.

- The beekeeper collected the brushed bees into a new hive box.
- Brushed bees are often used to populate new colonies, though the process must be done gently to avoid agitating the queen.

## Examples

- She brushed her hair before the meeting.
- After the long hike, he carefully brushed the dried mud off his boots before entering the house.
- The artist brushed a thin layer of varnish over the completed oil painting to protect the surface from dust and UV damage while enhancing the depth of the colors.

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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.