# bur

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɝ/ · frequency rank #39,230

## Definitions
1. A rough, prickly husk around the seeds or fruit of some plants.
2. Any of several plants having such husks.
3. A rotary cutting implement having a selection of variously shaped heads.
4. Alternative form of burr (“small piece of material”).

## Etymology
From Middle English burre, of unknown origin but probably from North Germanic (Scandinavian) source or from Old English byrst (“bristle”). See also burr. Compare English bristle, Danish burre (“bur, burdock”), Norwegian borre, Swedish borre, and Old Norse burst (“bristle”).

## Easily confused with
- **by** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-by)
- **BW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bw)
- **BX** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bx)
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-but)
- **buy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-buy)
- **bus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bus)
- **bye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bye)
- **BYU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-byu)
- **busy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-busy)
- **burn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-burn)
- **bush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bush)
- **butt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-butt)
- **buzz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-buzz)
- **bust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bust)
- **buys** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-buys)
- **bury** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-bury)
- **Burt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-burt)
- **burr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-burr)
- **buss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-buss)
- **Burg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bur-vs-burg)

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