breed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "breed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as both a noun and a verb. Example sentence (as a verb): The breeder carefully bred the two dogs for a desired combination of traits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Along with Ben Shewry at Attica and Dan Hunter at Brae, Jock Zonfrillo of Orana in Adelaide is a leader of a new breed of chefs who have steered away from the country's Med and Thai obsessions to champion indigenous ingredients and flavours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ancient race of vinyl enthusiasts who had once haunted record stores and swap meets was dying out, superseded by a mutant breed of torrent obsessives.

The Guardian - Books

He is the author of a book on the Akhal-Teke breed and took Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on a horseback tour of a giant complex for 400 of the horses outside the capital Ashgabat last year.

The Guardian

The most obvious dangers to favela residents include" health risks from the overflow of inadequate sewage systems; an outbreak of dengue fever in the city from mosquitoes that breed in standing water; and the high risk, due to the tightly packed wooden constructions, of fire.

The Guardian

Scott Stossel, deputy editor of the Atlantic magazine, went a step further and joked on his Twitter feed: "Huntsman daughters and Romney sons should get together and breed, creating a super-race of astonishingly beautiful Mormons".

The Guardian

"We have allowed them to settle in to their own communities and they have no desire to mix, they would rather take over areas and breed like rabbits," he said, according to a report in the Manchester Evening News.

The Guardian

The Turkmen president is fond of horse-riding and has promoted Turkmenistan's famous Akhal-Teke breed.

The Guardian

The rise of the web has spawned a new breed of cartographers and topologists trying to map out its characteristics.

The Guardian - Tech

And will success breed price hikes as in so many other leagues?

The Guardian

But the trend may also breed hostility, suspicion, and social tension, he warns.

The Guardian

With more than 20 million followers on Twitter and photo-sharing service Instagram, Kardashian became a star on TV but is now indicative of a new breed who can reach their fans without it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breed" in the context of animals, ensure you're aware of the ethical considerations and responsible breeding practices. Always prioritize the health and well-being of the animals.

Common error

While it's common to use "breed" metaphorically, be cautious about applying it to human populations in a way that promotes prejudice or discrimination. Stick to factual descriptions and avoid language that can be interpreted as dehumanizing.

Linguistic Context

The word "breed" functions primarily as a verb meaning to reproduce or generate, or as a noun referring to a specific type or kind of animal or person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and versatile term with applications ranging from biology to social commentary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "breed" is a versatile term that can function as both a noun and a verb, primarily related to reproduction and classification. As per Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and the examples provided demonstrate its frequent usage in News & Media. The term's register can range from neutral to offensive based on context, especially when applied to humans. Remember to use "breed" responsibly and be mindful of its potential connotations. The sources listed here and the examples in Ludwig demonstrate the breadth of its uses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reproduce

Focuses on the biological aspect of creating offspring.

propagate

Similar to reproduce, but often used in the context of plants or ideas.

cultivate

Emphasizes the act of nurturing and developing something over time.

raise

Focuses on the upbringing and care of offspring.

rear

Similar to raise, focusing on the upbringing of offspring.

generate

Highlights the production or creation of something, often in a more abstract sense.

nurture

Emphasizes the caring and fostering aspect of development.

engender

Emphasizes the act of causing or giving rise to something.

give rise to

Indicates the act of causing something to come into existence.

spawn

Often used to describe the mass production of offspring, sometimes with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "breed" in a sentence?

You can use "breed" as a verb, meaning to produce offspring, as in "The farmer decided to breed his best cow". It can also be used as a noun, referring to a specific type of animal, like "The golden retriever is a popular breed of dog".

What are some synonyms for "breed"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "breed" include "reproduce", "cultivate", "generate", "propagate", "raise" and "engender".

Is it appropriate to use "breed" when referring to humans?

While technically you can use "breed" to refer to a group of people with shared characteristics, it is generally considered insensitive and dehumanizing. It's better to use terms like "group", "type", or "generation" instead.

What's the difference between "breed" and "race"?

"Breed" typically refers to a specific group of animals within a species that share certain characteristics, while "race" is a social construct used to categorize humans based on perceived physical and social traits. Using "breed" to refer to humans can be offensive due to its association with animal breeding and historical misuse in discriminatory contexts.