born and bred

Idioms

Born and educated in a single locale or social class. For example, Adam was a Bostonian, born and bred. Although the two words were paired earlier, the precise locution dates from the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She said she was born and bred in the area and that she had worked in the city throughout her life.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

And he’s Southern California born and bred, the product of esteemed diamond factory Harvard-Westlake High.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Mr Chester's family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour".

From BBC • May 19, 2025

Keep in mind, I was born and bred in North Jersey.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2025

The beauty of the Lady of the Keep confused his mind, and in this rich, seemly, orderly, strange Court, he felt himself to be a goatherd born and bred.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023