brew

/bruː/

Origin

From Old English brēowan, related to Dutch brouwen and German brauen

Part of Speech

verb (brews, brewing, brewed) noun

Meanings

Verb

1. Make (beer) by soaking, boiling, and fermentation
   • The monastery has been brewing beer for centuries.
2. Make (tea or coffee) by adding hot water
   • She brewed a fresh pot of coffee every morning.
3. (figurative) Begin to develop or become apparent
   • A storm was brewing in the distance.

Noun

1. A particular variety of beer or method of producing it
   • They serve several local brews at the pub.
2. A cup of tea or coffee
   • Would you like a brew? (British informal)

Word Forms

• brewing (noun/adjective)
• brewed (past tense/past participle)
• brewer (noun)
• brewery (noun)

Synonyms

• concoct
• prepare
• make
• steep
• blend

Memory Tricks

1. Think "brrr + ew" - like the sound you make when drinking hot coffee/tea
2. Remember the phrase "Something's brewing" - helps recall both literal and figurative meanings
3. Connection to "brew-tiful" (beautiful) can help remember its association with making beverages

Common Collocations

• brew up
• home brew
• brewing company
• brewing process
• brewing trouble