Broach vs. Brooch? Which One Should You Use and When?

Homophones are words with similar spellings and identical pronunciations but different meanings. However, certain homophones could have similar meanings, too, or their definitions could overlap to an extent in some scenarios. The words “broach” and “brooch” are such types of homophones.

“Broach” means “to usher in a topic” to a discussion. “Brooch” denotes the jewelry piece or fashion accessory held on to clothing using a pin or clasp. Use the two terms in writings based on their respective meanings. That said, “broach” has an alternate meaning, qualifying it as a noun too.

“Broach” is not always the verb it’s commonly known as and can at times also be used as a replacement term for “brooch”. If this sounds confusing, keep reading to clear the air.

“Broach” – Definition

The word “broach” means to introduce an issue into a discussion. The term implies disclosing a topic for the first time, which could have been thought over for an extended period or reserved for discussion when a suitable occasion presents itself.

“Broach” can also mean any of the several tapered or pointed tools, parts, implements, etc., used for cooking or general work. As a verb, “broach” could also mean “piercing a thing”, or “shaping or enlarging a hole”.

“Brooch” – Definition

The term “brooch” denotes a jewelry piece held on to an item of clothing using a clasp or pin. Unlike most other jewelry pieces, a brooch hangs on to the clothing of the wearer, or it doesn’t come in direct contact with the individual’s skin.

The Similarities and Confusion Between “Broach” and “Brooch”

Though primarily used as a verb, the noun “broach” has been historically used to denote certain work tools and even jewelry, as both “broach” and “brooch” have the same etymologies.

Both terms have been derived from the Middle English word “broche”, which could either denote jewelry or a pointed instrument or implement (a spear, lance, skewer, awl, etc.). Long story short, the confusion between the two terms is not just linked with their pronunciations and spellings, but also their word origins.

The word “brooch”, however, evolved to become synonymous with “jewelry”, with “broach” going on to develop a few other meanings too. “Broach”, in other words, could denote different tapered or pointed instruments – such as the tool to tap casks, a spit to roast meat, or a cutting device for shaping a hole or an external surface.

Pronunciation Similarities and Discrepancies Between “Broach” and “Brooch”

When pronounced, “broach” rhymes with “poach”. The noun “brooch”, on the other hand, primarily rhymes with “poach”. The word has another or alternate pronunciation that rhymes with “pooch”.

The word’s actual spelling renders the “pooch-like” pronunciation almost unavoidable. That said, the “poach-sounding” pronunciation is classic or older and the more common of the two.

However, this pronunciation similarity has prompted quite a few dictionaries to adopt “broach” as the other spelling of “brooch”. This ties back to the earlier point that “broach” could be used as an alternate term for “brooch”.

In case you’re wondering about the pronunciation of “broche”, it’s pronounced with an extended “o”, as in “cope” or “hope”.

Not Getting Confused Between “Broach” and “Brooch”

If you’re having trouble remembering the spellings and/or meanings of the two terms, remember this mnemonic trick: “broach” and “approach” use the same four letters in the end. Since the term’s primary definition is “approaching a topic during a conversation”, the words are linked.

Similarly, “brooch” and “mooch” share their ending four letters as well. Since “mooch” refers to “asking for something for free or without paying”, you may imagine a friend or colleague asking you to lend them your “brooch”, as in “mooch your brooch”.

Moreover, some brooches could be like a pooch (dog) in shape and form. These word associations shall help you remember the word’s spelling and definition.

And staying on the topic of confusion, “broach” shouldn’t be confused with “breach”, which is a completely different word altogether.

Using “Broach” in Texts

The word “broach” works both as a verb and a noun. Its usage as a verb is, however, predominant. The verb “broach” could also denote “piercing a container” before drawing out the fluids within, as in distilling and winemaking. For example:

• Shall we broach one more cask of wine?

As mentioned above, when used as a noun, “broach” could denote a tool or equipment to make holes, an object for tapping a cask, or a rod to roast meat. When used as a verb, the term lends action to its noun forms, besides its widely used definition “talking about or suggesting a topic into a discussion”.

Here are sentences using the term as a noun and verb individually:

• We’ll require a broach for punching in keyhole contours in those metal pieces. (noun)
• Do not broach topics relating to politics at the event as the subject could quickly become contentious. (verb)

When employed as a verb to denote “mentioning for the very first time”, the resulting phrase is usually on the lines of “broach a subject” or “broach a topic”.

Usage History

It took around a couple of centuries for “broach” to primarily be used as a verb. When first used as a verb, the term was used to refer to tools, as in “to pierce to draw out contents”. Other “opening”, “piercing”, and “shaping” connotations followed, with figurative usages developing and establishing after some time.

“Broach” can also be used to denote “breaking the surface from underneath”, as in “the fish broached”; and functions within nautical texts to indicate “to yaw or veer hazardously”, as in “the vessel broached to”.

But if you are comfortable using “brooch” to mean only “jewelry” or the particular meaning has gotten etched into your vocabulary, go ahead and use it. However, do not let your usage of the term ascertain how others should use the word. In other words, if people use “broach” to mean both “introducing a topic” or “a piece of jewelry”, do not be shocked.

Similarly, if you are someone who uses the term “broach” to denote “jewelry”, be open to criticism or be labeled as “ignorant” by others since “brooch” is still the more commonly used term to mean “jewelry”.

Using “Brooch” in Writings

The term “brooch” typically is used in sentences as a noun. Rarely will you find it used as a verb or any other word form. Here are a few example sentences:

• Mary simply loved Matilda’s brooch.
• Willis gifted a gold brooch to his wife on her 35th birthday.
• Her distinctive brooch made it easier for the detective to identify her.

If you are unsure whether to use “brooch” or “broach” in a sentence, find out whether the word needed is a noun or a verb. If it’s a noun, it’s most likely “brooch”. It’s not always “brooch” because “broach” too could be employed in texts as a noun, as explained above.

In the sentence below, “broach” is used as a noun, and the usage is correct:

• The broach has cutting teeth alongside the tool’s axis.

Kindly note, if the word denotes jewelry or a piece of ornament, it’s always “brooch”. The noun form of “broach” has never been used to mean or indicate “jewelry”.

Example Sentence with the Word “Broach”

Here is a list of sentences using the word “broach”:

• Kate will broach the topic with the interns during next week’s meeting.
• When broaching the nonmonogamy topic with your spouse, stay open and affirming to steer the discussion in the right direction.
• The lawyer felt it appropriate to broach the topic of her fees as the trip was pure business.
• He wanted to open up to his friends, but he just couldn’t find the suitable time or settings to broach the topic.
• Many firms are not keen on alarming employees – or broaching the sensitive matter of recalling only the ex-pats.
• I would like to know who my sister is dating, but I will perhaps never broach the topic directly with her.
• We require a broach for cooking this meat.
• Money will have to be discussed at a certain point, but I am unsure when or how to broach the topic.
• Pluralism not just found its voice in fiction via the alien, but fiction inspired science too to broach topics or questions in the actual world.

Example Sentence with the Word “Brooch”

Besides the aforementioned, here are a few more sentences with the noun “brooch”:

• The brooch she wore complemented her white and blue polka dot dress quite well.
• Her brooch was almost identical in shape and size to the dollar coin.
• My grandma always wore a sparkly brooch attached to her blouse.
• For people who find traditional forms of jewelry irritating their skin, a brooch is an ideal ornament as it touches only the clothes.
• Her lapel had a silver brooch pinned.
• My brooch‘s clasp is broken.
• A brooch can be found in various patterns and designs.

Conclusion

There could be some confusion relating to the terms “broach” and “brooch” mean and how they get used in sentences. Despite certain notions and opinions getting contradicted, it’s safe to assume “broach” stands for “introducing a topic” or “a pointed instrument” when used as a verb and a noun, respectively.

The noun “brooch”, on the other hand, denotes the jewelry piece that most women wear on their clothing. The term “brooch” is never used as a noun, and, as mentioned above, that should help you easily ascertain when to use “brooch” or “broach” in a given sentence.