brick
nouna rectangular block of clay or similar material used in building; also refers to reliability.
What Makes This Word Tick
Brick refers to a solid building block traditionally made from clay and used in construction. The word often symbolizes strength, stability, and reliability.
If Brick Were a Person…
Brick would be dependable and sturdy, always providing support when needed. They would value practical strength over flashy style.
How This Word Has Changed Over Time
While the basic meaning of a construction block has remained stable, brick has also gained figurative uses to describe reliability or toughness.
Old Sayings and Proverbs
The idea of building brick by brick appears frequently in sayings about patience and gradual progress.
Surprising Facts
Brick structures have been used for thousands of years because of their durability and resistance to weather.
Out and About With This Word
You’ll encounter brick in construction, architecture, and metaphors about building success gradually.
Pop Culture Moments Where Brick Was Used
Brick buildings and walls often symbolize endurance and resilience in storytelling and visual design.
The Word in Literature
Writers use brick imagery to emphasize strength, permanence, or the slow process of building something meaningful.
Moments in History with Brick
Brick construction played a key role in the development of cities and long-lasting architecture.
This Word Around the World
Brickmaking traditions exist worldwide, with local materials shaping regional styles of masonry.
Where Does It Come From?
The origin listed in the inventory does not clearly match the building meaning.
How People Misuse This Word
Sometimes brick is used loosely for any construction block, though traditional bricks are fired clay units.
Words It’s Often Confused With
Brick differs from stone or concrete block, which are made from different materials and construction methods.
Additional Synonyms and Antonyms
Additional Synonyms: masonry block, fired clay unit Additional Antonyms: rubble, debris, fragments
Want to Try It Out in a Sentence?
"The workers laid each brick carefully to construct the new wall."
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skulk
[skuhlk]
to move in a stealthy manner; slink

snafu
[sna-foo]
a badly confused or ridiculously muddled situation

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unctuous
[uhngk-choo-uhs]
of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy

sabotage
[sab-uh-tahzh]
any underhand interference with production, work, etc., in a plant, factory, etc., as by enemy agents during wartime or by employees during a trade dispute

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report
[ri-pawrt]
to give an account or representation of something

astonish
[uh-ston-ish]
to greatly surprise or amaze someone

abjure
[ab-joor, ab-jur]
solemnly renounce

meddle
[med-l]
to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly

curved
[kurvd]
having a rounded or arc-like shape

repertory
[rep-er-tawr-ee]
a type of theatrical presentation in which a company presents several works regularly or in alternate sequence in one season

gormless
[gawrm-lis]
lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy

bit
[bit]
a small piece or quantity of something

fisticuffs
[fis-tuh-kuhfs]
combat with the fists

centralize
[k-entr-al-iz-e]
to bring activities, processes, or power under a single authority or location.

extract
[ekstr-akt]
to remove or obtain something, often with effort or force; also refers to a concentrated substance.

idolize
[ahy-duh-lahyz]
to admire or love someone excessively