Dictionary.com

brogue

1
[ brohg ]
/ broʊg /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: brogue / brogues on Thesaurus.com

noun
an Irish accent in the pronunciation of English.
any strong regional accent.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of brogue

1
First recorded in 1700–10; of uncertain origin; perhaps special use of brogue2

OTHER WORDS FROM brogue

bro·guer·y, noun

Other definitions for brogue (2 of 3)

brogue2
[ brohg ]
/ broʊg /

noun
a durable, comfortable, low-heeled shoe, often having decorative perforations and a wing tip.
a coarse, usually untanned leather shoe once worn in Ireland and Scotland.

Origin of brogue

2
First recorded in 1580–90; from Irish Gaelic, Scots Gaelic brōg “shoe, brogue, sandal,” from Old Irish brōce; cognate with Latin brācae “trousers”(typically worn by Celts), from Gaulish; see also breech

Other definitions for brogue (3 of 3)

brogue3
[ brohg ]
/ broʊg /

noun Scot.
a fraud; trick; prank.

Origin of brogue

3
First recorded in 1530–40; of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brogue in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brogue (1 of 2)

brogue1
/ (brəʊɡ) /

noun
a broad gentle-sounding dialectal accent, esp that used by the Irish in speaking English

Word Origin for brogue

C18: probably from brogue ², alluding to the footwear of the peasantry

British Dictionary definitions for brogue (2 of 2)

brogue2
/ (brəʊɡ) /

noun
a sturdy walking shoe, often with ornamental perforations
an untanned shoe worn formerly in Ireland and Scotland

Word Origin for brogue

C16: from Irish Gaelic bróg boot, shoe, probably from Old Norse brōk leg covering
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
FEEDBACK