bring

[ bring ]

verb (used with object)

, brought, bring·ing.

1. to carry, convey, conduct, or cause (someone or something) to come with, to, or toward the speaker:

   Bring the suitcase to my house.

   He brought his brother to my office.

   Synonyms: guide, lead, transport

2. to cause to come to or toward oneself; attract:

   Her scream brought the police.

   He brought honor to his family by his heroism.

3. to cause to occur or exist:

   The medication brought instant relief.

4. to cause to come into a particular position, state, or effect:

   to bring the car to a stop.

5. to cause to appear or occur in the mind; evoke or recall:

   The letter brought her memories of youth.

6. to persuade, convince, compel, or induce:

   She couldn't bring herself to sell the painting.

7. to sell for; fetch:

   These lamps will bring a good price.

8. Law. to commence:

   to bring an action for damages.

verb phrase

1. to accomplish, carry out, or achieve (something):

   He brought off his speech with ease.

2. 1. to bring to view; show.
   2. to present for consideration; adduce:

      to bring forward an opinion.

3. 1. to injure, capture, or kill:

      He brought down several ducks on his last hunting trip.

   2. to lessen; reduce:

      I won't buy that lamp unless they bring down the price.

   3. Slang. to cause to be in low spirits; depress:

      The bad news brought him down.

4. 1. to care for during childhood; rear.
   2. to introduce or mention for attention, discussion, action, or consideration.
   3. to vomit.
   4. to stop or cause to stop quickly:

      to bring up a car at the curb.

   5. Nautical. (of a vessel) to cause to halt, as by lowering an anchor or running aground; fetch up.
5. 1. to give birth to; deliver; bear:

      to bring forth a son.

   2. to give rise to; introduce:

      to bring forth a proposal for reducing costs.

6. 1. to bring back to consciousness; revive.
   2. Nautical. to head (a vessel) close to or into the wind so as to halt.
7. 1. to cause to happen or exist; bring about:

      This incident will surely bring on a crisis.

   2. to introduce; cause to appear:

      Bring on the clowns.

8. 1. to yield, as profits or income:

      My part-time job doesn't bring in much, but I enjoy it.

   2. to present officially; submit:

      The jury brought in its verdict.

   3. to cause to operate or yield:

      They brought in a gusher on his property.

   4. to present for consideration, approval, etc.; introduce:

      She brought in six new members last month.

9. 1. to expose; reveal.
   2. to make noticeable or conspicuous in a contrast.
   3. to publish, as a book or play.
   4. to introduce officially into society:

      to bring out a debutante.

10. to accomplish; cause:

    Land reform brought about a great change in the lives of the common people.

11. 1. to convince of a belief or opinion; persuade:

       I think we can bring him around to agreeing with the plan.

    2. to restore to consciousness, as after a faint.
    3. to bring as a visitor:

       They brought around a new employee this morning.

bring

/ brɪŋ /

verb

1. to carry, convey, or take (something or someone) to a designated place or person

   bring that book to me

   will you bring Jessica to Tom's party?

2. to cause to happen or occur to (oneself or another)

   to bring disrespect on oneself

3. to cause to happen as a consequence

   responsibility brings maturity

4. to cause to come to mind

   it brought back memories

5. to cause to be in a certain state, position, etc

   the punch brought him to his knees

6. to force, persuade, or make (oneself)

   I couldn't bring myself to do it

7. to sell for; fetch

   the painting brought 20 pounds

8. law
   1. to institute (proceedings, charges, etc)
   2. to put (evidence, etc) before a tribunal
9. bring forth
   to give birth to
10. bring home to
    1. to convince of

       his account brought home to us the gravity of the situation

    2. to place the blame on
11. bring to bear
    See bear 1

Derived Forms

• ˈbringer, noun

Other Words From

• bringer noun
• outbring verb (used with object) outbrought outbringing

Word History and Origins

Origin of bring¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English bringen, Old English bringan; cognate with Dutch brengen, German bringen, Gothic briggan

Word History and Origins

Origin of bring¹

Old English bringan ; related to Gothic briggan , Old High German bringan

Synonym Study

Bring, fetch, take imply conveying or conducting in relation to the place where the speaker is. To bring is simply to convey or conduct: Bring it to me. I'm permitted to bring my dog here with me. It is the opposite of take, which means to convey or conduct away from the place where the speaker is: Bring it back here. Take it back there. Fetch means to go, get, and bring back: Fetch me that bottle.

Example Sentences

They scapegoated a USC assistant coach — costing him his job — and later had to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by this coach.

From Los Angeles Times

Rogan endorsed president-elect Trump a day before the election and he hoped that his second term would bring an end to hostilities.

From Salon

In Northern California, the storm brought several feet of snow in the Sierra as well as flooding and the threat of mudslides.

From Los Angeles Times

Storm Bert has brought heavy snowfall, rain and strong winds as it sweeps through parts of the UK, causing widespread disruption.

From BBC

Someone brought this up to me early, in like April of 2020, and I was like, this is a really good point.

From Salon

Related Words

• begin
• contribute to
• create
• force
• lead
• make
• move
• produce
• prompt