# burr

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɝ/ · frequency rank #18,031

## Definitions
1. A sharp, pointy object, such as a sliver or splinter.
2. Alternative form of bur (“rough, prickly husk around the seeds or fruit of some plants”).
3. A small piece of material left on an edge after a cutting operation.
4. A thin flat piece of metal, formed from a sheet by punching; a small washer put on the end of a rivet before it is swaged down.
5. A broad iron ring on a tilting lance just below the grip, to prevent the hand from slipping.
6. A metal ring at the top of the hand-rest on a spear.
7. The ear lobe.
8. A burr knot or burl.
9. The knot at the bottom of an antler.
10. A revolving disk or cone with abrasive surfaces used to grind hard products in a grinder or mill.

## Etymology
From Middle English burre, perhaps related to Old English byrst (“bristle”). Cognate with Danish burre, borre (“burdock, burr”), Swedish borre (“sea-urchin”).

## Easily confused with
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-but)
- **buy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-buy)
- **bus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-bus)
- **busy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-busy)
- **bush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-bush)
- **butt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-butt)
- **buzz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-buzz)
- **bust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-bust)
- **buys** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-buys)
- **bury** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-bury)
- **Burt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-burt)
- **buss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-buss)
- **bute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-bute)
- **burst** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-burst)
- **buyer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-buyer)
- **bursa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-bursa)
- **burrow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/burr-vs-burrow)
- **br** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/br-vs-burr)
- **bar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bar-vs-burr)
- **bro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bro-vs-burr)

## Common misspellings (3)
`bburr`, `brur`, `ubrr`

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