broody
Americanadjective
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moody; gloomy.
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inclined to sit on eggs.
a broody hen.
adjective
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moody; meditative; introspective
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(of poultry) wishing to sit on or hatch eggs
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informal (of a woman) wishing to have a baby of her own
Usage
What does broody mean? Broody is an adjective that means moody or gloomy, as in When I’m feeling broody, I paint dark pictures to match my mood. Broody is a neutral word. It describes a person’s emotions or personality. Sometimes, a fictional character who is broody is actually considered attractive or interesting. For example, Batman is a famously broody superhero, and many fans love him for it. Broody also describes an urge to sit on eggs, as in Our favorite hen is broody, sitting on her eggs all day long. Example: Whenever Jordan is feeling broody, he listens to sad music to help express how he feels.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of broody
Vocabulary lists containing broody
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.
Over four albums, Cook and Doherty supplied a dizzying architecture of synth soundscapes that she filled with broody lyrics and her clarion vocals.
From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2024
Stewart’s non-gender-conforming streak started to surface in her portrayal of broody heroine Bella Swan in the “Twilight” saga, which the actor said in a January interview with Variety had a “very Gothic, gay inclination.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2024
Lucifer seemed likely to trounce broody hero Dream initially — until he asked, “What kills hope?”
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2023
Every sneaker-staring, guitar-hugging kid with a broody set of love songs who wants to stand up and play, drifts into this city.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2023
Will often go broody; excellent for raising chicks from fertile eggs.
From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
