# broach

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɹəʊtʃ/ · frequency rank #45,824

## Definitions
1. A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel. For example, the toothed stone chisel shown here.
2. A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
3. Alternative spelling of brooch.
4. A spit for cooking food.
5. An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
6. A spire rising from a tower.
7. A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.
8. The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
9. The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Celtic *brokkos
Gaulish *brokkosbor.?
Vulgar Latin broccus
Vulgar Latin brocca
Old French brochebor.
Middle English broche
English broach
From Middle English broche, from Old French broche, from Vulgar Latin *brocca, originally a feminine form of Latin broccus, perhaps ultimately of Gaulish origin (see Scottish Gaelic bròg). Doublet of brochure.

## Easily confused with
- **broad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-broad)
- **Brock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-brock)
- **broth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-broth)
- **brunch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-brunch)
- **brooch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-brooch)
- **bronco** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-bronco)
- **Brough** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/broach-vs-brough)
- **bach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bach-vs-broach)
- **brah** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brah-vs-broach)
- **beach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/beach-vs-broach)
- **brace** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brace-vs-broach)
- **brash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brash-vs-broach)
- **Bloch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bloch-vs-broach)
- **branch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/branch-vs-broach)
- **breath** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breath-vs-broach)
- **breach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breach-vs-broach)
- **bleach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bleach-vs-broach)
- **breech** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breech-vs-broach)

## Common misspellings (9)
`bbroach`, `borach`, `braoch`, `broacch`, `broachh`, `broahc`, `brocah`, `brroach`, `rboach`

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