# bridle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɹaɪdəl/ · frequency rank #37,836

## Definitions
1. The headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins.
2. A restraint; a curb; a check.
3. A length of line or cable attached to two parts of something to spread the force of a pull, as the rigging on a kite for attaching line.
4. A mooring hawser.
5. A piece in the interior of a gunlock which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
6. A gesture expressing pride or vanity.

## Etymology
From Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel, from Proto-West Germanic *brigdil, from Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz (“strap, rein”), equivalent to braid + -le.

## Easily confused with
- **brie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-brie)
- **brine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-brine)
- **brill** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-brill)
- **bundle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-bundle)
- **brodie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-brodie)
- **brittle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-brittle)
- **bristle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridle-vs-bristle)
- **bile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bile-vs-bridle)
- **bide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bide-vs-bridle)
- **bible** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bible-vs-bridle)
- **bride** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bride-vs-bridle)
- **bribe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bribe-vs-bridle)
- **Brice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brice-vs-bridle)
- **bridge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridge-vs-bridle)
- **bridal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridal-vs-bridle)
- **brides** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brides-vs-bridle)
- **bridges** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridges-vs-bridle)
- **Bradley** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bradley-vs-bridle)
- **Bridget** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bridget-vs-bridle)
- **braille** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/braille-vs-bridle)

## Common misspellings (9)
`bbridle`, `birdle`, `brdile`, `briddle`, `bridel`, `bridlle`, `brilde`, `brridle`, `rbidle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bridle