broomstick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1informal, neutral
Quick answer
What does “broomstick” mean?
The long wooden handle of a broom.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The long wooden handle of a broom.
1. A broom, especially one with a long handle. 2. Symbolically associated with witches and flying in folklore and popular culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The cultural association with witches is equally strong in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral for the domestic object; whimsical, magical, or Halloween-related for the cultural reference.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in domestic contexts (e.g., 'cupboard under the stairs' storage). The fantasy context is equally common.
Grammar
How to Use “broomstick” in a Sentence
VERB + broomstick (ride, mount, fly on, grasp, lean against)broomstick + VERB (fly, zoom, hover)ADJECTIVE + broomstick (magic/magical, old, wooden, trusty)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broomstick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She tried to broomstick the spider's web down from the corner. (informal, non-standard)
- The children pretended to broomstick across the playground.
American English
- He broomsticked the leaves into a pile. (informal, non-standard)
- The fantasy character can broomstick over mountains.
adverb
British English
- The toy witch flew broomstickly across the room. (humorous, non-standard)
American English
- The leaf moved broomstick-fast in the wind. (figurative, rare)
adjective
British English
- They had a broomstick race during the Halloween fair.
- Her costume had a very convincing broomstick silhouette.
American English
- The Halloween parade featured a broomstick procession.
- It was a broomstick-led search of the haunted forest.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Only in metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'the new delivery system doesn't fly on a broomstick').
Academic
Rare. Primarily in studies of folklore, gender studies (witch tropes), or children's literature.
Everyday
Common in domestic contexts ('Pass me the broomstick') and overwhelmingly common in seasonal/Halloween or fantasy/play contexts ('The witch rode her broomstick').
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “broomstick”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “broomstick”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broomstick”
- Using 'broomstick' to mean just any stick (it's specifically for a broom).
- Confusing 'broom' (the whole tool) with 'broomstick' (its handle).
- Misspelling as 'broomstick'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A 'broomstick' is specifically the long handle of a broom. The 'broom' is the entire tool, including the brush head. However, in casual speech, especially regarding the witch's vehicle, 'broomstick' is often used to mean the whole broom.
Its primary domestic meaning is neutral but simple. Its cultural/witchcraft meaning is informal and genre-specific (fantasy, commentary on folklore). It is not suitable for most formal academic or business texts unless directly relevant to the topic.
The association dates back to early modern European folklore, where witches were believed to apply magical ointments to staffs or broomsticks to enable flight to Sabbaths. This image was cemented in popular culture through works like 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Harry Potter'.
No significant difference. Both pronounce it as /ˈbruːm.stɪk/. The 'oo' is as in 'room', and the 'stick' rhymes with 'lick'.
The long wooden handle of a broom.
Broomstick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbruːm.stɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbruːm.stɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Jump the broomstick (historical/folk reference to a marriage ceremony)”
- “Upstairs on a broomstick (old-fashioned; meaning pregnant out of wedlock)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a broom + a stick. A witch needs a STICK from a BROOM to fly.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BROOMSTICK IS A VEHICLE (for witches). / DOMESTIC LABOUR IS MAGICAL (e.g., 'she whipped through the cleaning' metaphorically aligns with a broomstick's speed).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical folk context, 'to jump the broomstick' meant what?