What is brew? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of brew

brewverb

Bia

/bruː//bruː/

Where does the word brew come from?

The word "brew" has a rich history that dates back to Old English. The verb "brew" originally meant "to cook" or "to stew," and was often used to describe the process of cooking drinkable liquids, such as mead or ale. This sense of the word is still seen in modern English, as in "brew a cup of tea." Over time, the meaning of "brew" narrowed to specifically refer to the process of making beer. This sense of the word is thought to have originated in the 14th century, when ale was a staple of medieval life. Brewers would "brew" a mixture of grains, water, and yeast to create a fermented drink. Today, the word "brew" is used to describe not only the process of making beer, but also the act of preparing coffee or tea. Despite its evolution over the centuries, the core meaning of "brew" remains centered on the idea of transforming raw ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying drink.

Vocabulary summary brew

typenoun

meaningbrewing; brewing (tea)

exampleto brew beer

exampleto brew tea

meaningbatch of beer

examplea storm is brewing

meaningquality of brewed wine; quality of brewed tea

examplea plot is brewing: a plot is being prepared

typetransitive verb

meaningbrew (beer); brew (tea)

exampleto brew beer

exampleto brew tea

meaning(figurative) prepare, arrange, plan, contemplate ((usually) bad things)

examplea storm is brewing

Example of vocabulary brewnamespace

meaning

to make beer

  • This beer is brewed in the Czech Republic.
meaning

to make a hot drink of tea or coffee

  • freshly brewed coffee
meaning

to be mixed with hot water and become ready to drink

  • Always let tea brew for a few minutes.
meaning

if something unpleasant is brewing or brewing up, it seems likely to happen soon

  • Trouble has been brewing for some time now.
  • A storm was brewing up out at sea.

Comment ()