Spanish word

barrer

Pronunciation

IPA/baˈreɾ/

Meaning

  • verbsweep

Example

Voy a barrer el suelo.

I'm going to sweep the floor.

Illustration for barrer (sweep)

More examples

Ayer barrió mi vecino la acera con una escoba.

Yesterday my neighbor swept the sidewalk with a broom.

Core concept

Dragging crumbs and small debris across a floor with a broom.

Common phrases

  • barrer el suelo

    sweep the floor

  • barrer la casa

    sweep the house

  • barrer las hojas

    sweep the leaves

Similar words

limpiar: Removing dirt or mess to make a place or object clean.
recoger: Gathering scattered objects or trash by hand or with a tool into one place.
quitar: Removing an object or stain so it is no longer on the surface.
aspirar: Using a vacuum cleaner to suck up dust and crumbs from floors or furniture.

Definition in Spanish

Quitar del suelo la suciedad y el polvo con una escoba; en sentido figurado, eliminar o derrotar por completo.

Word origin

Derived from Latin verrēre 'to sweep' via medieval Spanish developments, sharing the same root as Portuguese varrer.

Usage tips

  • In everyday language barrer can be used figuratively to mean defeating or eliminating completely, as in 'barrer al rival'.

Other meanings

  • sweep awayverb
  • routverb

Opposites

Related words

  • barridosweepingnoun
  • barrenderostreet sweepernoun
  • barridaclean sweepnoun

Word lists with this word