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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fain, a fiery leader who won the UAW presidency in the union’s first direct election this spring, peppered his address with biblical references and barbs against billionaires. —Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023

Washington Post Ramaswamy’s debate comment echoes Obama from 2004 Zingers and barbs flew across the stage during Wednesday night’s Republican primary debate in Milwaukee, but one of the most attention-grabbing candidate quotes wasn’t even an attack. —BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023

Trading barbs over a special Waukegan City Council meeting Aug. 16 which failed to materialize, a contentious relationship between Mayor Ann Taylor and Ald. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2023

As the groups intermingle, sparks and barbs fly in equal measure between Noah and Will, who must look past their own senses of, well, pride and prejudice to recognize the attraction between them. —Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Aug. 2023

For nearly two months, a trial that began in April 2022 featured the two Hollywood stars – and their lawyers – trading insults, barbs and accusations, much to the entertainment of a global audience who followed the proceedings closely. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 July 2023

Statham and Fox's characters wrestle around their home and trade verbal barbs at each other, eventually crashing through two double doors and into a bathroom. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023

Sacramento's mayor traded barbs with the DA over an ''unprecedented'' homelessness crisis. —USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2023

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, and the ghost kitchen company behind his virtual burger restaurant chain are trading barbs in a legal battle that will decide the fate of whether MrBeast Burger operates under the YouTube megastar’s brand. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Aug. 2023

Verb

Her name is Cleve, and she is played by an exceptional Clare Perkins, whose delivery is barbed and steely. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

That’s okay when a lively minnow is barbed through the lips or nostrils, but when fishing cover, baits often pull off quickly. —Bob McNally, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2023

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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