Brow vs. Crest — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Brow refers to the forehead or the upper edge of something, like a hill or a wave. Crest denotes the highest point or peak, often of a hill, mountain, or wave.
Difference Between Brow and Crest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Brow typically refers to the human forehead or the upper edge of a natural feature. In anatomy, it denotes the area above the eyes. Geographically, it can describe the upper edge of a hill or cliff. Crest, on the other hand, signifies the topmost point or peak of something. It is commonly used to describe the summit of a hill, mountain, or wave, representing the highest point in elevation.
Brow in human anatomy is the area above the eyes, crucial in facial expressions. Geographically, it can mean the top edge of a hill or wave. In contrast, crest implies the apex or summit, indicating the highest achievable point, often used in descriptions of landscapes.
Brow can denote a visual edge or boundary, such as the brow of a hill, suggesting the beginning of a slope. Crest, however, focuses on the highest part, symbolizing achievement or culmination, like reaching the crest of a mountain.
In expressions, brow often relates to human characteristics, like a furrowed brow indicating concern. Crest conveys triumph or prominence, such as cresting a hill symbolizing overcoming an obstacle.
Brow may imply an initial point of decline or slope, whereas crest indicates the pinnacle before descent. For instance, standing on the brow of a hill means being on the upper edge, while standing on the crest means being at the highest peak.
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While brow has a broader, more general application to edges and human anatomy, crest specifically emphasizes peaks and summits in both natural and metaphorical contexts.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Forehead; upper edge of a feature
Highest point or peak
Usage
Human anatomy, geographical edges
Peaks of hills, mountains, waves
Human Anatomy
Area above the eyes
Not applicable
Geographical Context
Upper edge of a hill or wave
Summit or apex of a hill, mountain, wave
Symbolism
Edge, boundary
Peak, culmination
Expressions
Concern (e.g., furrowed brow)
Triumph (e.g., cresting a hill)
Implication
Beginning of a slope
Pinnacle before descent
Compare with Definitions
Brow
The upper edge or part of something, such as a hill or wave.
They stood on the brow of the hill, looking down at the valley.
Crest
The highest part of a wave.
Surfers love riding the crest of the wave.
Brow
A part of the face above the eyes, often associated with expressions.
His brow furrowed in concentration.
Crest
The highest point of something, symbolizing achievement.
The team crested their success with a championship win.
Brow
An elevated edge or boundary.
The brow of the wave shimmered in the sunlight.
Crest
A usually ornamental tuft, ridge, or similar projection on the head of a bird or other animal.
Brow
A person's forehead
He wiped his brow
Crest
An elevated, irregularly toothed ridge on the stigmas of certain flowers.
Brow
The summit of a hill or pass
The cottages were built on the brow of a hill
Crest
A ridge or an appendage on a plant part, such as on a leaf or petal.
Brow
A gangway from a ship to the shore.
Crest
A plume used as decoration on top of a helmet.
Brow
The superciliary ridge over the eyes.
Crest
A helmet.
Brow
The eyebrow.
Crest
(Heraldry) A device placed above the shield on a coat of arms.
Brow
The forehead.
Crest
A representation of such a device.
Brow
A facial expression; countenance
"Speak you this with a sad brow?" (Shakespeare).
Crest
The top, as of a hill or wave.
Brow
The projecting upper edge of a steep place
The brow of a hill.
Crest
The highest or culminating point; the peak
The crest of a flood.
At the crest of her career.
Brow
The ridge over the eyes; the eyebrow.
Crest
The ridge on a roof.
Brow
The first tine of an antler's beam.
Crest
To decorate or furnish with a crest.
Brow
The forehead.
Crest
To reach the crest of
Crested the ridge.
Brow
The projecting upper edge of a steep place such as a hill.
The brow of a precipice
Crest
To form into a crest or crests
Waves cresting over the seawall.
Brow
(mining) A gallery in a coal mine running across the face of the coal.
Crest
To reach a crest
The swollen river crested at 9:15.
Brow
(figurative) Aspect; appearance.
Crest
The summit of a hill or mountain ridge.
Brow
(nautical) The gangway from ship to shore when a ship is lying alongside a quay.
Crest
A tuft, or other natural ornament, growing on an animal's head, for example the comb of a cockerel, the swelling on the head of a snake, the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird, etc.
Brow
(nautical) The hinged part of a landing craft or ferry which is lowered to form a landing platform; a ramp.
Crest
The plume of feathers, or other decoration, worn on or displayed on a helmet; the distinctive ornament of a helmet.
Brow
To bound or limit; to be at, or form, the edge of.
Crest
(heraldry) A bearing worn, not upon the shield, but usually on a helmet above it, sometimes (as for clerics) separately above the shield or separately as a mark for plate, in letterheads, and the like.
Brow
The prominent ridge over the eye, with the hair that covers it, forming an arch above the orbit.
And his arched brow, pulled o'er his eyes,With solemn proof proclaims him wise.
Crest
The upper curve of a horse's neck.
Brow
The hair that covers the brow (ridge over the eyes); the eyebrow.
'T is not your inky brows, your brack silk hair.
Crest
The ridge or top of a wave.
Brow
The forehead; as, a feverish brow.
Beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow.
Crest
The helm or head, as typical of a high spirit; pride; courage.
Brow
The general air of the countenance.
To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow.
He told them with a masterly brow.
Crest
The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc.
Brow
The edge or projecting upper part of a steep place; as, the brow of a precipice; the brow of a hill.
Crest
The top line of a slope or embankment.
Brow
To bound to limit; to be at, or form, the edge of.
Tending my flocks hard by i' the hilly croftsThat brow this bottom glade.
Crest
(anatomy) A ridge along the surface of a bone.
Brow
The part of the face above the eyes
Crest
(informal) A design or logo, especially one of an institution, sports club, association or high-class family.
Brow
The arch of hair above each eye
Crest
Any of several birds in the family Regulidae, including the goldcrests and firecrests.
Brow
The peak of a hill;
The sun set behind the brow of distant hills
Crest
(intransitive) Particularly with reference to waves, to reach a peak.
Brow
The human forehead.
She wiped the sweat from her brow.
Crest
(transitive) To reach the crest of (a hill or mountain)
Brow
The edge or brink of a geographical feature.
The hikers reached the brow of the cliff and admired the view.
Crest
To furnish with, or surmount as, a crest; to serve as a crest for.
Crest
To mark with lines or streaks like waving plumes.
Crest
A tuft, or other excrescence or natural ornament, growing on an animal's head; the comb of a cock; the swelling on the head of a serpent; the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird, etc.
[Attack] his rising crest, and drive the serpent back.
Crest
The plume of feathers, or other decoration, worn on a helmet; the distinctive ornament of a helmet, indicating the rank of the wearer; hence, also, the helmet.
Stooping low his lofty crest.
And on his head there stood uprightA crest, in token of a knight.
Crest
A bearing worn, not upon the shield, but usually above it, or separately as an ornament for plate, liveries, and the like. It is a relic of the ancient cognizance. See Cognizance, 4.
Crest
The upper curve of a horse's neck.
Throwing the base thong from his bending crest.
Crest
The ridge or top of a wave.
Like wave with crest of sparkling foam.
Crest
The summit of a hill or mountain ridge.
Crest
The helm or head, as typical of a high spirit; pride; courage.
Now the time is comeThat France must vail her lofty plumed crest.
Crest
The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc.
The finials of gables and pinnacles are sometimes called crests.
Crest
The top line of a slope or embankment.
Crest
To furnish with, or surmount as, a crest; to serve as a crest for.
His legs bestrid the ocean, his reared armCrested the world.
Mid groves of clouds that crest the mountain's brow.
Crest
To mark with lines or streaks, like, or regarded as like, waving plumes.
Like as the shining sky in summer's night, . . . Is crested with lines of fiery light.
Crest
To form a crest.
Crest
The top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
Crest
The top point of a mountain or hill;
The view from the peak was magnificent
They clambered to the summit of Monadnock
Crest
The center of a cambered road
Crest
(heraldry) in medieval times, an emblem used to decorate a helmet
Crest
A showy growth of e.g. feathers or skin on the head of a bird or other animal
Crest
Lie at the top of;
Snow capped the mountains
Crest
Reach a high point;
The river crested last night
Crest
The topmost point of a hill or mountain.
They finally reached the crest of the mountain after hours of climbing.
Crest
A prominent feature or peak.
The castle stood on the crest of the hill, dominating the landscape.
Crest
A ridge or raised part on an animal's head or back.
The rooster’s colorful crest was a striking sight.
Common Curiosities
What is the brow in human anatomy?
The brow refers to the forehead, the area above the eyes.
What does crest mean in geography?
Crest refers to the highest point or summit of a hill, mountain, or wave.
Can brow refer to geographical features?
Yes, brow can describe the upper edge of a hill, cliff, or wave.
What does cresting a hill symbolize?
Cresting a hill symbolizes reaching the peak or overcoming an obstacle.
What is an example of brow in a sentence?
"They stood on the brow of the hill, looking down at the valley."
Is crest used to describe human features?
No, crest is not typically used to describe human anatomy.
Can brow imply an expression of concern?
Yes, as in a furrowed brow indicating worry or concentration.
Can brow be used in expressions?
Yes, such as a furrowed brow indicating concern or thought.
What is an example of crest in a sentence?
"They finally reached the crest of the mountain after hours of climbing."
How does brow differ from crest in symbolism?
Brow symbolizes an edge or boundary, while crest symbolizes the peak or culmination.
Is brow associated with the start of a slope?
Yes, brow often implies the beginning of a slope or decline.
Is crest associated with the highest point?
Yes, crest signifies the highest point or peak.
Does brow have broader applications than crest?
Yes, brow is used more broadly, including in human anatomy and geographical edges.
Is crest specific to peaks and summits?
Yes, crest specifically refers to peaks and summits.
Does crest indicate a point before descent?
Yes, crest indicates the pinnacle before a descent or decline.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
