Braid is a word for weavingcrossing threads or pieces over and under one another to form something strandslong thin pieces of material, like threads, fibers, or hair together or the woven result. It can also mean decorative trimming on clothing, or a hairstyle made by plaitingbraiding hair by dividing it into sections and crossing them over each other hair.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /breɪd/
Easy pronunciation: BRAYD (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the only syllable is stressed.
Verb sense: to weave strands together into a braid.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Braid Meaning
to make hair, rope, or other strands into a woven pattern
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to weave strands together into a braid
Example: She braided her hair before school.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- plait — Common synonym for weaving hair or strands together.
- lace — Works for weaving or interlacing strands together, though it is less specific than braid.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Braid
Meaning 2
a woven hair style
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a hairstyle formed by braiding or twisting the hair
Example: She wore her hair in a long braid.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- plait — Common noun for the hairstyle.
- tress — Can refer to a lock of hair or a styled strand, but is less exact than braid.
- twist — Can describe a twisted hairstyle, though it is broader than braid.
Meaning 3
a strip of decorative trim
Part of speech: noun
Definition: decorative trimming used on clothes or curtains
Example: The uniform had gold braid on the sleeves.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- braiding — Refers to decorative trim made in a braid-like form.
- gold braid — A specific kind of decorative braid, but not a general synonym.
Meaning 4
to add braided decoration to something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to decorate with braids or ribbons
Example: The dress was braided with colored ribbon.
Meaning 5
to create something by weaving strands together
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to make something by braiding or interlacing
Example: They braided a basket from reeds.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- plait — Works well for making something by weaving strands together.
- lace — Can mean to interweave strands, but is broader and less exact.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Braid Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- plait
- lace
a hairstyle formed by braiding or twisting the hair
- plait
- tress
- twist
decorative trimming used on clothes or curtains
- braiding
- gold braid
to make something by braiding or interlacing
- plait
- lace
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the verb braid with the noun braid.
- Using braid for any kind of twist or ribbon when the meaning is specifically woven strands or decorative trim.
- Treating gold braid as a general synonym rather than a specific type of decorative braid.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does braid mean in simple English?
Braid means to weave strands together, or the woven result itself. It can also refer to a braided hairstyle or decorative trim.
Is braid a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a verb, it means to weave strands together or decorate something with braids. As a noun, it can mean a braided hairstyle or decorative trim.
What are the best synonyms for braid?
For the verb, plait is the closest common synonym. For the noun, plait is also the closest match for the hairstyle, while braiding is related to decorative trim.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.