DictionaryAI

bring

BRING/ˈbɹɪŋ/

Formsbrings, bringing, brought

Often confused with take

8 meanings of bring

Practice

  1. 1
    carry alongverbtransitive
    To carry or take something or someone with you to a place or person.

    Bring your umbrella with you because it might rain later.

    She brought her sister to the party.

    UsageUsually, use bring for movement toward you or the person you are speaking to, and take for movement away.

    Similarfetch, carry, deliver, bear, convey

    Oppositetake, remove

    Note
  2. 2
    causeverbtransitive
    To cause something to happen or to come, such as trouble or tears.

    The storm brought flooding to the valley.

    Hard work will bring success.

    UsageSay it brought tears to my eyes.

    Similarcause, produce, create, generate, occasion

  3. 3
    contributeverbfigurativelytransitive
    To add something useful, like skill or a new way of thinking, to a group or a job.

    What does she bring to the team?

    He brought years of experience to the role.

    UsageSay bring something to the team.

    Similarcontribute, add, lend, give, offer

  4. 4
    legal caseverbtransitive
    To start a legal case or make a formal charge against someone.

    The state will bring charges next week.

    She brought a lawsuit against her former employer.

    UsageSay bring charges against someone.

    Similarfile, lodge, press, institute

    Oppositedrop, withdraw

  5. 5
    persuadeverbtransitive
    To lead or persuade someone, often yourself, to do or accept something.

    I can't bring myself to throw it away.

    What brought you to take up painting?

    UsageSay I can't bring myself to do it.

    Similarinduce, persuade, lead, prompt, move

    Oppositedissuade

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    sell forverbtransitive
    To be sold for a certain price, to fetch.

    The painting brought two million at auction.

    Good wool will bring a high price this year.

    UsageSay it brought a good price.

    Similarfetch, command, earn, yield, realize

  2. 7
    verb
    In baseball, to throw a pitch, especially a very fast one.
  3. 8
    interjection
    Used to imitate the ringing of a telephone, usually said twice.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of bring apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English bringan, meaning "to bring." It goes back to older Germanic roots.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts