brogue

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈbrōg 

1

: a stout coarse shoe worn formerly in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands

2

: a heavy shoe often with a hobnailed sole : brogan

3

: a stout oxford shoe with perforations and usually a wing tip

brogue

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a dialect or regional pronunciation

especially : an Irish accent

Did you know?

Did you expect brogue to be defined as "an Irish accent"? You're probably not alone; however, brogue has two homographs (words that are spelled—and, in this case, pronounced—the same but have different origins or parts of speech). Today we're featuring brogue, the shoe, which comes from the Irish word bróg and probably derives from an Old Norse term meaning "leg covering." Brogue, the accent, comes from a different Irish word, barróg, which means "accent" or "speech impediment."

Examples of brogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Thom Browne also created a pair of custom brogue heels for Roan. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

Underneath the dress, Hahn sported platform brogue heels in a patent leather, which added mega height. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2024

But when the Shelby family's gang mistakenly steals a crate of weapons meant for Libya, Winston Churchill sends Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neill), a law enforcer with a Belfast brogue, to straighten things out alongside Grace Burgess, a charming Irish spy (Annabelle Wallis). —Charley Locke, WIRED, 6 July 2016

For McArdle — a Scotsman best known for his work on stage and TV, here adopting a convincing Irish brogue — his first big-screen lead announces him as a thinking person’s charmer in the approximate mold of Andrew Scott. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Irish bróg & Scottish Gaelic bròg, from Middle Irish bróc, probably from Old Norse brōk leg covering; akin to Old English brōc leg covering — more at breech

Noun (2)

Irish barróg accent, speech impediment, literally, wrestling hold, tight grip

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

brogue

1 of 2 noun

ˈbrōg 

1

: brogan

2

: a low shoe with decorative holes along the seams and often at the toe

brogue

2 of 2 noun

: a dialect or regional pronunciation

especially : an Irish accent

Etymology

Noun

from Irish bróg and Scottish Gaelic bròg "stout shoe," derived from an early Norse word meaning "leg covering"

Noun

Irish barróg "accent, speech impediment," literally, "wrestling grip, tight hold"