brush

A tool with many thin stiff hairs or plastic pieces, used to tidy hair or wool.

• Where is my hair brush?
• She used a brush to smooth her hair.
• This brush removes loose wool from the fleece.

Common phrases: hair brush, wool brush, soft brush, paint brush

A short experience of something, often something unpleasant or dangerous.

• She had a brush with death.
• His brush with the law changed his attitude.
• A brief brush with fame left her uncomfortable.

How to use it: a brush with something (He had a brush with death during the storm.)

Similar words: encounter, experience

Common phrases: brush with death, brush with the law, brief brush with something

To clean something using a tool with many stiff hairs or thin plastic pieces.

• I brush my teeth every morning.
• She brushed her muddy boots before coming inside.
• Have you brushed your teeth yet?

Similar words: clean, scrub

Common phrases: brush your teeth, brush your shoes, brush something clean

To remove something with a quick movement of your hand or a cleaning tool.

• Brush the crumbs off the table.
• She brushed snow from her coat.
• He brushed away the dust with his sleeve.

How to use it: brush something off something (He brushed the dust off his jacket.); brush something away (She brushed the crumbs away with her hand.)

Similar words: sweep, wipe

Common phrases: brush something off, brush something away, brush aside something

To touch something lightly while moving past it or across it.

• Her fingers brushed my arm.
• A branch brushed against his face.
• She brushed past us without speaking.

How to use it: brush against someone/something (Her sleeve brushed against my hand.); brush past someone/something (He brushed past me in the doorway.)

Similar words: graze, touch

Common phrases: brush against something, brush past someone, brush someone’s cheek