barb

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbärb 

1

: a medieval cloth headdress passing over or under the chin and covering the neck

2

a

: a sharp projection extending backward (as from the point of an arrow or fishhook) and preventing easy extraction

also : a sharp projection with its point similarly oblique to something else

b

: a biting or pointedly critical remark or comment

3

: barbel entry 2

4

: any of the side branches of the shaft of a feather see feather illustration

5

: a plant hair or bristle ending in a hook

barbless

ˈbärb-ləs 

adjective

barb

2 of 4

verb

barbed; barbing; barbs

transitive verb

: to furnish with a barb

barb

3 of 4

noun (2)

: any of a northern African breed of horses that are noted for speed and endurance

barb

4 of 4

noun (3)

slang

: barbiturate

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• affront
• brickbat
• cut
• dart
• dig
• dis [slang]
• diss
• epithet
• gird
• indignity
• insult
• name
• offense
• offence
• outrage
• personality
• poke
• put-down
• sarcasm
• slap
• slight
• slur

Examples of barb in a Sentence

Noun (1)

delivered one last barb to his ex-girlfriend as he stalked away

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The presidential campaigns have exchanged barbs about each other's rally sizes. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

The popular Crocodile Hunter host died after being impaled by a stingray barb in his chest while diving in his native Australia back in 2006. —Lawrence Yee, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

The landscape around it lay newly barbed with cannon, mortars, and bombproof shelters, these installed by hundreds of captive workers whose labor was donated by their Charleston owners. —CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024

Hammel is an appealing screen presence, tossing off inappropriate remarks with blithe abandon and making Karla the sort of friend who’s both endearing and exasperating — her affection often barbed and her opportunism unapologetic. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English barbe barb, beard, from Anglo-French, from Latin barba — more at beard

Noun (2)

French barbe, from Italian barbero, from barbero of Barbary, from Barberia Barbary, coastal region in Africa

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1759, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1610, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1955, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

barb

noun

ˈbärb

1

a

: a sharp point that sticks out and backward (as from the point of an arrow or fishhook)

b

: any of various sharp parts (as the side branch of a feather) that stick out from a plant or animal

2

: an often witty remark intended to hurt a person's feelings

barbless

-ləs

adjective

Etymology

Noun

Middle English barbe "barb, beard," from early French barbe (same meaning), from Latin barba "beard" — related to barber

Medical Definition

barb

noun

ˈbärb 

slang

: barbiturate