SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

broody

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adjective \ ˈbrü-dē \

Definition of broody

1 :being in a state of readiness to brood eggs that is characterized by cessation of laying and by marked changes in behavior and physiology

a broody hen

2 :given or conducive to introspection :contemplative, moody

—

broodiness

noun

See broody defined for English-language learners

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Examples of broody in a Sentence

a movie with a dark and broody atmosphere
he spent a long, broody weekend trying to figure out where his relationship with his girlfriend was headed

First Known Use of broody

1523

broody Synonyms

Synonyms

contemplative, cogitative, meditative, melancholy, musing, pensive, reflective, ruminant, ruminative, thoughtful

Antonyms

unreflective

Related Words

introspective, retrospective, self-reflective; earnest, grave, sedate, serious, serious-minded, severe, sober, solemn, somber (or sombre), weighty; philosophical (also philosophic); analytic (or analytical), logical, rational; deliberate, purposeful; absentminded, abstracted, preoccupied

Near Antonyms

featherbrained, flighty, flippant, frivolous, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, scatterbrained; brainless, mindless, silly, thoughtless, unthinking

BROODY Defined for English Language Learners

broody

play

adjective

Definition of broody for English Language Learners

: serious and sad
of a hen : ready to lay and sit on eggs
of a woman : wanting to have a baby

Learn More about broody

See words that rhyme with broody Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for broody

Seen and Heard

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WORD OF THE DAY

legerity

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alert quickness of mind or body

BROWSE DICTIONARY

broodsac

brood stock

broody

broody coop

brook

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Examples: broody in a Sentence