Broach vs. Brooch — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 7, 2023
Broach is to bring up a topic or use a tool; Brooch is a decorative pin worn as jewelry.
Difference Between Broach and Brooch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Broach can have dual meanings. Firstly, it signifies the act of introducing or bringing up a topic, especially one that might be sensitive or controversial. For instance, one might broach the subject of salary with their boss.
Secondly, a broach can also refer to a tool used in metalworking to shape or cut materials. Conversely, a Brooch is a decorative piece of jewelry designed to be attached to garments. It often comes adorned with jewels, ornamental designs, or motifs and serves as an accessory.
Both words, Broach and Brooch, sound similar, which can lead to confusion, but they have entirely different meanings and usages. While Broach deals with discussions or tools, Brooch is firmly within the realm of fashion and adornment.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A tool or the act of raising a topic.
A decorative jewelry pin.
Context of Use
Metalworking or conversations.
Fashion and adornment.
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Associated Field
Manufacturing or communication.
Jewelry.
Typical Materials
Metal, especially in the tool context.
Gold, silver, precious stones, etc.
Grammatical Use
Can be a noun (tool) or verb (to introduce a subject).
Always a noun.
Compare with Definitions
Broach
To pierce in order to draw off liquid.
The barrel was broached to access the wine.
Brooch
Jewelry that attaches to clothing.
The diamond brooch was the centerpiece of her outfit.
Broach
To bring up (a subject) for discussion or debate.
Brooch
An ornamental piece with a clasp.
He gifted her a gold brooch for her birthday.
Broach
To announce
We broached our plans for the new year.
Brooch
A decorative pin or clasp.
Her grandmother's vintage brooch looked stunning on her dress.
Broach
To pierce in order to draw off liquid
Broach a keg of beer.
Brooch
A piece often signifying personal or sentimental value.
The brooch had been in her family for generations.
Broach
To draw off (a liquid) by piercing a hole in a cask or other container.
Brooch
A brooch (, also US: ) is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments, often to fasten them together. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold or some other material.
Broach
To shape or enlarge (a hole) with a tapered, serrated tool.
Brooch
An ornament fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch.
Broach
To veer or cause to veer broadside to the wind and waves
Tried to keep the boat from broaching to.
Brooch
A piece of jewelry that is worn on a piece of clothing, attached with a pin that clasps shut.
Broach
A tapered, serrated tool used to shape or enlarge a hole.
Brooch
A piece of ornamental jewellery having a pin allowing it to be fixed to garments worn on the upper body.
Broach
The hole made by such a tool.
Brooch
A painting all of one colour, such as a sepia painting.
Broach
A spit for roasting meat.
Brooch
(transitive) To adorn as with a brooch.
Broach
A mason's narrow chisel.
Brooch
An ornament, in various forms, with a tongue, pin, or loop for attaching it to a garment; now worn at the breast by women; a breastpin. Formerly worn by men on the hat.
Honor 's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat.
Broach
A gimlet for tapping or broaching casks.
Brooch
A painting all of one color, as a sepia painting, or an India painting.
Broach
Variant of brooch.
Brooch
To adorn as with a brooch.
Broach
A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel. For example, the toothed stone chisel shown here.
Brooch
A decorative pin worn by women
Broach
(masonry) A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
Brooch
Fasten with or as if with a brooch
Broach
Alternative spelling of brooch
Brooch
A decorative accessory usually worn on the chest or collar.
She wore a butterfly brooch on her sweater.
Broach
A spit for cooking food.
Broach
An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
Broach
A spire rising from a tower.
Broach
A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.
Broach
The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
Broach
The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.
Broach
(transitive) To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.
Broach
(transitive) To open, to make an opening into; to pierce.
French knights at Agincourt were unable to broach the English line.
Broach
To begin discussion about (something).
I broached the subject of contraceptives carefully when the teenager mentioned his promiscuity.
Broach
(intransitive) To be turned sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.
The small boat broached and nearly sank, because of the large waves.
Broach
(transitive) To cause to turn sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves (usually followed by to; also figurative).
Each time we came around into the wind, the sea broached our bow.
Broach
To break the surface of the water.
Broach
A spit.
He turned a broach that had worn a crown.
Broach
An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
Broach
A tool of steel, generally tapering, and of a polygonal form, with from four to eight cutting edges, for smoothing or enlarging holes in metal; sometimes made smooth or without edges, as for burnishing pivot holes in watches; a reamer. The broach for gun barrels is commonly square and without taper.
Broach
A broad chisel for stonecutting.
Broach
A spire rising from a tower.
Broach
A clasp for fastening a garment. See Brooch.
Broach
A spitlike start, on the head of a young stag.
Broach
The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
Broach
The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.
Broach
To spit; to pierce as with a spit.
I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point.
Broach
To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor. Hence: To let out; to shed, as blood.
Whereat with blade, with bloody blameful blade,He bravely broached his boiling bloody breast.
Broach
To open for the first time, as stores.
You shall want neither weapons, victuals, nor aid; I will open the old armories, I will broach my store, and will bring forth my stores.
Broach
To make public; to utter; to publish first; to put forth; to introduce as a topic of conversation.
Those very opinions themselves had broached.
Broach
To cause to begin or break out.
Broach
To shape roughly, as a block of stone, by chiseling with a coarse tool.
Broach
To enlarge or dress (a hole), by using a broach.
Broach
A decorative pin worn by women
Broach
Bring up a topic for discussion
Broach
A tool used for cutting or shaping.
The craftsman used a broach to shape the metal piece.
Broach
To introduce a subject for discussion.
She decided to broach the topic of their future plans.
Broach
A long, tapered tool.
This broach can make holes in the metal.
Broach
To approach or mention for the first time.
It was difficult to broach such a sensitive matter.
Common Curiosities
Are "broach" and "brooch" pronounced the same?
They sound very similar, which often leads to confusion, but they have different meanings.
Can a "broach" be used in metalworking?
Yes, a "broach" is also a tool used for cutting or shaping metal.
Is "brooch" related to jewelry?
Yes, a "brooch" is a decorative pin or clasp worn as jewelry.
Is a "brooch" typically worn by both men and women?
While traditionally more common for women, brooches can be worn by anyone and are sometimes used as tie pins or lapel pins by men.
Do all brooches have gemstones?
No, while many brooches are adorned with gemstones, others might just be metal or other decorative materials.
Can "broach" refer to introducing a topic?
Yes, to "broach" a subject means to bring it up or introduce it for discussion.
Can I use "broach" when talking about fashion?
Generally, no. In fashion, you'd typically refer to a "brooch," the decorative jewelry piece.
Can "broaching" mean cutting metal?
Yes, in a manufacturing context, "broaching" refers to a specific metal cutting process using a broach tool.
Are brooches old-fashioned?
While brooches have a rich history, many contemporary designers create modern styles, making them timeless accessories.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
