Brook
/brʊk/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a brook is a small, narrow river or stream, usually found in nature and flowing gently. As a verb, to brook means to tolerate or allow something, especially something difficult or unpleasant, without opposing it.
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⚡ See It in Action
Noun: a small natural stream of water
- •We walked along the brook in the forest.
- •The children played near the cool, clear brook.
- •A brook often flows into a larger river.
Verb: to tolerate or allow something, usually unpleasant
- •She would brook no criticism of her work.
- •The teacher brooked no talking during the exam.
- •He brooked no delay in completing the project.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "brook" (noun) like a "river" (A1 word), but much smaller and quieter, like a tiny water path in the forest.
- ✓Picture a gentle stream flowing softly between rocks and trees, making a calm, peaceful sound.
- ✓As a verb, think of "brook" like "accept," but more about quietly allowing something you don’t like.
- ✓Sounds like "brook" → imagine a small water brook bubbling calmly, and also imagine someone quietly letting something happen without stopping it.
- ✓Imagine a story where someone faces a problem but chooses to brook it, meaning they don’t fight back but stay calm.
- ✓NOT like a big "river" (large, strong), a brook is small and gentle.
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "fight" or "stop," brooking means quietly accepting or putting up with something.
- ✓NOT like "ignore," brooking means you notice the problem but choose to allow it.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Creek: a small stream, often used in American English (Use when describing a small water body, especially in the US)
- •Tolerate: to allow or accept something unpleasant (Use when focusing on the verb meaning of accepting something)
- •Allow: to let something happen (Use when you want a simple, general verb for permitting something)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "brook" (single root word)
- •Etymology: Old English "broc," meaning a small stream or rivulet
- •Historical development: Used for centuries in English to describe small streams; the verb form developed to mean "to tolerate" or "to allow" something
- •Modern usage: Still used in literature and formal speech for small streams and to express tolerance or acceptance of something difficult
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you had to brook a difficult situation without complaining? How did it feel?
•How does the peaceful image of a brook help you remember the idea of quietly accepting something as a verb?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The hikers followed the ___ through the forest to find their campsite.
2.She would brook no ___ from anyone about her decision.
3.Unlike a large river, a brook is ___ and often hidden among trees.
4.The manager brooked no ___ in the office rules during the busy season.
5.They sat quietly beside the ___, listening to the water flow softly.
6.To brook an insult means to ___ it without showing anger.
7.The small brook eventually joined a ___ river downstream.