Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

braid

American  
[breyd] / breɪd /

verb (used with object)

  1. to weave together strips or strands of; plait.

    to braid the hair.

  2. to form by such weaving.

    to braid a rope.

  3. to bind or confine (the hair) with a band, ribbon, etc.

  4. to trim with braid, as a garment.


noun

  1. a braided length or plait, especially of hair.

  2. a hairstyle formed by interweaving three or more strands of hair.

  3. a narrow, ropelike band formed by plaiting or weaving together several strands of silk, cotton, or other material, used as trimming for garments, drapery, etc.

  4. a band, ribbon, etc., for binding or confining the hair.

braid 1 British  
/ breɪd /

verb

  1. to interweave several strands of (hair, thread, etc); plait

  2. to make by such weaving

    to braid a rope

  3. to dress or bind (the hair) with a ribbon, etc

  4. to decorate with an ornamental trim or border

    to braid a skirt

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a length of hair, fabric, etc, that has been braided; plait

  2. narrow ornamental tape of woven silk, wool, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
braid 2 British  
/ breɪd, bred /

adjective

  1. broad

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. broadly; frankly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • braider noun
  • well-braided adjective

Etymology

Origin of braid

First recorded before 950; Middle English braiden, breiden (verb), Old English bregdan “to move quickly, move to and fro, weave”; cognate with Old Norse bregtha, Dutch breien

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.

When the lights were turned up, George Taylor’s beard lay twisted into three separate braids.

From Literature

It hung down her back in two long braids and was tied with purple ribbons.

From Literature

The only reason I thought she was a girl was because her voice was slightly higher and she had two long, tangled braids.

From Literature

In New York, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require manufacturers of synthetic braids and hair extensions to disclose all ingredients.

From Science Daily

The teen is wearing black glasses and braided hair styled in a bun with blue highlights.

From Los Angeles Times