Brows refers to the paired arches of hair above the eyes, shaping facial expression. In everyday use, the term can also function as a verb meaning to look with a quick or casual glance. As a noun (plural), it denotes the two eyebrow ridges, typically used in discussing grooming or expressions.
"She brushed her brows into a neat, natural shape."
"The actor’s brows were expressive, conveying sarcasm without words."
"During the interview, his brows knitted together, signaling concern."
"She raised her brows in amused disbelief at the joke."
Brows comes from Old English bra?u, with the modern spelling likely influenced by bawr or beard-like terms. The word is pluralized to refer to the two separate arches above each eye. Historically, “brow” in Old English (brug, brēow) referred to the forehead or brow as a feature of the face, with compounds and variations appearing in Middle English literature. The plural form brows emerged in common usage to designate the pair of brows across both eyes, distinguishing them from other facial features. Over time, the concept expanded in cosmetics and grooming as a focal point of facial expression. In contemporary English, “brows” frequently appears in contexts ranging from anatomy and medicine to fashion and beauty, retaining its literal sense while adopting metaphorical and idiomatic uses (e.g., “raise your brows”). First known use as a plural noun in texts dates to the late Middle English period, with stable usage by the 16th century. Modern spelling and pronunciation align with /braʊz/ for General American and Received Pronunciation variants, reflecting the long /aʊ/ diphthong common to many English vowels.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Brows" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Brows" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Brows" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Brows"
-use sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce as /braʊz/. Start with the /b/ bilabial stop, then glide into the /aʊ/ diphthong (mouth moves from open/low to near-high position, similar to 'cow'), and finish with the /z/ voiced alveolar fricative. Primary stress is on the word as a whole, with a smooth transition from /b/ to /aʊ/ to /z/. In US, UK, and AU, the sequence remains /braʊz/; ensure the /r/ is present in rhotic accents. Audio references like Pronounce or Forvo can provide native pronunciation samples.
Common errors include substituting a long /oʊ/ or /o/ for the /aʊ/ diphthong (saying /broʊz/), and failing to voice the final /z/ (uttering just /s/). Another mistake is dropping the /r/ in rhotic accents or producing an unvoiced /s/ at the end. Correct by shaping the mouth from /b/ to a wide /aʊ/ glide, keeping the lips rounded but not overly, and finishing with a voiced /z/ with teeth gently touching the tongue tip.
In rhotic US accents, you’ll hear a clear /r/ coloring before the /aʊ/ glide and the final /z/. In many UK accents (non-rhotic), the /r/ influence is weaker or absent, but the /aʊ/ remains; the final /z/ is voiced. Australian accents typically mirror US rhotic traits, with a slightly sharper /aɪ/ vs /aʊ/ distinction depending on speaker; the /r/ is not pronounced unless post-vocalic linking is involved. Overall, the /aʊ/ diphthong remains central across all three, with rhoticity modulating the preceding vowel and /r/ presence.
The main challenges are producing the mid-to-low begin of /aʊ/ while maintaining lip rounding and the voiced ending /z/. The diphthong /aʊ/ requires a precise glide from an open vowel toward a more rounded mouth; some learners approximate it to /a/ or /ɔ/ leading to mispronunciation. The final /z/ needs voicing; aspirated or voiceless end can slip into /s/ if the vocal cords don’t vibrate. Clear practice on the transition and voicing helps.
Is the /r/ pronounced in 'Brows' in non-rhotic dialects? In most non-rhotic varieties (typical UK), an /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel; since /r/ here precedes a vowel only in linking contexts, you generally maintain a rhotic trace in connected speech but not as a separate /r/ sound in isolation. In careful speech, you may perceive a slight post-vocalic 'r' influence before the vowel, but for the word alone, the core is /braʊz/ without an italicized /r/ diphthong beyond the rhotic presence in US.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Brows"!
No related words found
