broody

Everyday

1. (of a hen) Wanting to sit on her eggs to keep them warm until they hatch. tree →
2. (informal, UK) Wanting to have a baby. tree →
3. Quiet, moody and thinking gloomy thoughts. tree →

In the lessons

In farm and science lessons, a broody hen sits on eggs and stops laying. In stories, a broody character is quiet and serious, thinking about worries. In grown-up talk, «feeling broody» means wanting a baby.

Examples

• The broody hen would not leave her nest. tree →
• Our broody chicken sat on the eggs for three weeks. tree →
• He has been broody and silent all afternoon. tree →
• Seeing her baby cousin made Aunt Sue feel broody. (informal, UK) tree →
• The broody boy stared out of the window. tree →
• A broody hen puffs up her feathers if you come near. tree →

Note

Adjective; comparatives broodier, broodiest. Related: brood (a group of baby birds; or to think gloomily). Not the same as «bloody» or «brutal».