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Definition of bargepole

bargepole

/ˈbɑːrdʒˌpoʊl/
barge · pole
Plural:bargepoles
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bargepole Lexical Profile

bargepole Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A long wooden pole used to push or steer a barge along a canal or shallow river, especially by fending it off from the banks or other vessels.

Example

"With a reputation for financial mismanagement like theirs, most investors would not touch the company with a bargepole."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bargepole

Word Nuance & Usage

In contemporary British English, this word is used almost exclusively in the figurative expression 'would not touch with a bargepole' (corresponding to the American English 'would not touch with a ten-foot pole') to express strong aversion.

• Nearby Words

bargainous
barge
bargeman
bargepole
barhop
bari
barista

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bargepole. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bargepole
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