brew

[ broo ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make (beer, ale, etc.) by steeping, boiling, and fermenting malt and hops.
2. to make or prepare (a beverage, as tea) by mixing, steeping, soaking, or boiling a solid in water.
3. to concoct, mix, or cook (a beverage or food, especially one containing unmeasured or unusual ingredients):

   She brewed a pot of soup from the leftovers.

4. to contrive, plan, or bring about:

   to brew mischief.

   Synonyms: hatch, devise, plot, scheme, concoct, cook up

verb (used without object)

1. to make a fermented alcoholic malt beverage, as beer or ale.
2. to boil, steep, soak, or cook:

   Wait until the tea brews.

noun

1. a quantity brewed in a single process.
2. a particular brewing or variety of malt liquor.
3. a hot beverage made by cooking a solid in water, especially tea or coffee.
4. any concoction, especially a liquid produced by a mixture of unusual ingredients:

   a witches' brew.

5. Informal.
   1. beer or ale.
   2. an individual serving of beer or ale:

      Let's have a few brews after the game.

brew

¹

/ bruː /

verb

1. to make (beer, ale, etc) from malt and other ingredients by steeping, boiling, and fermentation
2. to prepare (a drink, such as tea) by boiling or infusing
3. tr to devise or plan

   to brew a plot

4. intr to be in the process of being brewed

   the tea was brewing in the pot

5. intr to be impending or forming

   there's a storm brewing

noun

1. a beverage produced by brewing, esp tea or beer

   a strong brew

2. an instance or time of brewing

   last year's brew

3. a mixture

   an eclectic brew of mysticism and political discontent

brew

²

/ bruː /

noun

1. dialect.
   a hill

Derived Forms

• ˈbrewer, noun

Other Words From

• brewer noun
• mis·brew verb (used with object)
• re·brew verb
• un·brewed adjective
• under·brew verb (used with object)
• well-brewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brew¹

before 900; Middle English brewen, Old English brēowan; akin to Dutch brouwen, German brauen, Old Norse brugga

Word History and Origins

Origin of brew¹

Old English brēowan ; related to Old Norse brugga , Old Saxon breuwan , Old High German briuwan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be brewing, to be forming or gathering; be in preparation:

   Trouble was brewing.

Example Sentences

This 12-pack of 8-ounce cold brew cans comes in four varieties, including nitro and double espresso.

From Popular-Science

You can set the machine to brew any of its four drink size options, and when you’re finished it automatically shuts itself off nine seconds after the last brew.

From Popular-Science

Most days, the morning fog carries the smell of the lightning-sparked fires, an acrid brew of millions of incinerated trees and buildings now burning across California.

From Quartz

Located on the corner of W 12th Street and Central Parkway in Cincinnati’s Historic Over the Rhine neighborhood, it is a unique one-of-a-kind place to enjoy a local craft brew and relax with friends.

From No Straight News

However, that home brew “didn’t do much for us puny humans either.”

From Science News For Students

And that solution came from a homemade brew Branch and her sister created together.

From The Daily Beast

I paid a visit Istmo Brew Pub and found their beers undrinkable.

From The Daily Beast

In 2005, Istmo Brew Pub opened as the first of its kind in Panama City.

From The Daily Beast

A boiling brew is scooped into makeshift bowls—hollowed out coconut halves.

From The Daily Beast

Ayahuasca/yagé is a psychoactive brew made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

From The Daily Beast

"And I can return the compliment," was my reply, as we all gathered round a brew of tea to exchange news and compare notes.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, in the kitchen, a great searching among jars and boxes on high shelves told of preparation for the occasional brew.

From Project Gutenberg

“If you will excuse me for a few moments, I will make myself fit to brew you some tea,” said my wife, holding open the door.

From Project Gutenberg

She was stirring the pot diligently, now and then sprinkling in what looked like a brown dust, and watching the brew intently.

From Project Gutenberg

As a rule, one or two studies would club together to brew, instead of preparing solitary banquets.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beverage
• blend
• broth
• distillation
• drink
• liquor
• melange
• mélange
• mishmash
• mixture