bruit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary (for the verb meaning 'to spread'); Technical/Medical (for the noun meaning 'sound').
Quick answer
What does “bruit” mean?
To spread a rumour or piece of information widely.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To spread a rumour or piece of information widely.
A term from medicine denoting an abnormal sound heard via auscultation, typically referring to blood flow through a narrowed artery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb 'to bruit' is equally rare in both variants. The medical noun is standard in international medical English.
Connotations
The verb implies a formal, often deliberate, spreading of news. It can sound pretentious in casual use. The medical noun is clinical and neutral.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; confined to historical novels or formal prose for the verb, and to medical literature for the noun.
Grammar
How to Use “bruit” in a Sentence
[bruit + object + about/abroad] e.g., 'They bruited the news abroad.'[bruit + that-clause] e.g., 'It was bruited that he would resign.'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bruit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scandal was bruited about in all the London clubs.
- He did not wish his plans bruited abroad before the announcement.
American English
- The news was bruited throughout the capital.
- Activists bruited the allegations on social media.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or literary studies ('The prophecy was bruited throughout the land.'). The medical noun is common in health sciences.
Everyday
Extremely uncommon and would sound affected.
Technical
Standard term in cardiology and vascular medicine ('The patient presented with a femoral bruit.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bruit”
- Mispronouncing it as /braʊt/ (like 'brout').
- Using it in casual conversation where 'spread' or 'rumoured' would be natural.
- Confusing the verb and noun forms contextually.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. The verb is archaic/formal, and the noun is specific medical terminology.
Yes, but with different meanings. The verb means 'to spread news'. The noun is a medical term for an abnormal sound of blood flow.
It is pronounced the same in both British and American English: /bruːt/, rhyming with 'fruit'.
In modern English, 'to spread' or 'to circulate' (rumours/news) are far more common and natural synonyms.
To spread a rumour or piece of information widely.
Bruit is usually formal/literary (for the verb meaning 'to spread'); technical/medical (for the noun meaning 'sound'). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to bruit something abroad”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRUit' sounds like 'BRUte' (brute force) – a rumour is spread with brute force across the land.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A SOUND THAT TRAVELS ('spread the word', 'echoed around', 'noised abroad').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'bruit' MOST appropriately used?