What does brooch mean?
A brooch is a piece of decorative jewellery designed as a large pin with a hinged clasp, worn fastened to clothing — most often on the lapel, collar, or chest of a jacket, dress, or coat. Brooches range from simple metal pins to elaborate works set with pearls, gemstones, enamel, or cameos, and many are treasured as heirlooms passed down through generations. Historically descended from the fibulae used by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Celts to fasten cloaks, the brooch began as a practical garment-fastener before evolving into pure ornament by the medieval period. Today it connotes elegance, vintage style, and sometimes formality, though designers have repeatedly revived it in modern fashion. The word rhymes with 'poach' and is easily confused in spelling with the verb 'to broach', which means to raise a topic for discussion — a useful pair to distinguish. Whether antique, sentimental, or statement-making, the brooch remains a distinctive accessory with one of the longest histories in personal adornment.
nounA decorative piece of jewellery, typically a large ornamental pin with a clasp, worn fastened to clothing. It may be made of metal and set with gems or enamels, and is usually attached to a garment at the chest.
- A decorative jewelled pin with a clasp, worn fastened to clothing.
"She pinned an antique silver brooch to the lapel of her coat."
"She wore a delicate gold brooch shaped like a dragonfly on her scarf."
"The museum displayed Celtic brooches dating back over a thousand years."
The standard plural adds -es, following the regular pattern for nouns ending in a sibilant sound.
"Her collection of antique brooches filled an entire velvet-lined case."
A brooch was once so much more than decoration — in ancient times its fibula ancestors held entire garments together, making it one of jewellery's oldest functional designs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of brooch
The word 'brooch' entered English in the early Middle English period, borrowed from Old French 'broche', meaning a skewer or pointed object, which itself derives from Latin 'brocca' or 'broccus', denoting something pointed or projecting. The same Latin root gave rise to 'broach' (originally a piercing tool) and, via Italian, 'broccoli'. Over time the sense narrowed from any fastening pin to specifically a decorative ornamental clasp.
Related word forms
How brooch is actually used
Brooch carries a somewhat classic, even old-fashioned connotation in modern usage — it evokes heirlooms, vintage fashion, and formal dressing — though it has seen revivals in contemporary fashion. The plural 'brooches' is standard. Note that 'brooch' and 'broach' are distinct words despite their shared spelling of most letters; 'brooch' is always a noun referring to the ornament.
Easily confused with brooch
A brooch is an ornamental pin worn on clothing; a broach is either a pointed tool for piercing holes or a verb meaning to open up a subject for discussion.