broody
broody Lexical Profile
broody Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Thoughtful and unhappy; given to Moody, melancholic, or sullen contemplation.
"The novel features a dark, broody protagonist who spends hours walking alone in the rain."
(Of a hen or other female bird) inclined to sit on eggs in order to hatch them.
"The farmer noticed that two of the hens had become broody and were refusing to leave their nesting boxes."
British (Informal) feeling a strong desire to have a baby.
"Holding her sister's newborn niece made her feel unmistakably broody."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British and Commonwealth English, 'broody' is frequently used informally to describe a person experiencing a strong desire to have a baby, whereas in American English it more commonly refers to someone who is moody or sullen.
• Rhymes for broody
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 16th century from the noun 'brood' (from Old English 'brōd', relating to hatching and rearing young) combined with the adjectival suffix '-y'.