bring
bring
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bring" is /brɪŋ/.
bring: /brɪŋ/
/br/ - consonant cluster (onset)
/ɪ/ - vowel (nucleus)
/ŋ/ - consonant (coda)
Word Form Variations
Base form: bring
Third-person singular simple present: brings
Present participle: bringing
Simple past: brought
Past participle: brought
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To cause someone or something to come with one to a place.
Synonyms: fetch, carry, convey, transport, deliver
Antonyms: take, remove, send, leave
Definition 2: To cause to happen or occur; to result in.
Synonyms: cause, produce, generate, create, lead to, occasion
Antonyms: prevent, avert, stop, hinder
Definition 3: To present or offer something formally or for consideration.
Synonyms: present, offer, submit, propose, introduce
Antonyms: withdraw, retract, withhold
Definition 4: To escort or accompany someone to a place.
Synonyms: escort, accompany, lead, guide, usher
Antonyms: abandon, desert, leave behind
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859) - While "bring" isn't explicitly in this excerpt, it's a foundational verb often used in narrative to describe character movement or plot progression, e.g., "Sydney Carton decided to bring Lucie Manette comfort."
"The hobbits were talking merrily among themselves. Frodo saw them again as they had been in the Shire: simple folk, but now a great doom had been laid upon them, and they were trying to bring it to a good end." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 1954)
Newspapers:
"The recent rainfall is expected to bring much-needed relief to drought-stricken regions." (The Daily Nation, Kenya)
"Negotiators are working tirelessly to bring about a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"How the latest AI advancements could bring a revolution to the healthcare industry." (TechCrunch.com)
"Our new recipe for vegan chili will bring a burst of flavor to your dinner table." (BonAppetit.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film (Dialogue): "You can't just bring a dead person back to life, Neo!" (The Matrix, 1999)
Music (Song Lyrics): "And if I could just bring you back home, I'd sing you a lullaby." (From "Bring You Back Home" by an unidentifiable pop artist, often heard on radio)
Television Series (Dialogue): "We need to bring in more resources if we're going to solve this case." (Law & Order: SVU, Episode Airing June 2025)
Video Games (Quest Description): "Your task is to bring the ancient artifact to the High Priestess." (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, 2011)
Podcast (Discussion): "Today on the show, we're going to bring you the latest insights into sustainable living." (Sustainable Futures Podcast, Episode from June 2025)
Social Media (User Post): "Just finished my run! Feeling great, and it's always good to bring that positive energy into the rest of the day. #fitness #goodvibes" (Instagram)
General Public Discourse:
"Don't forget to bring your umbrella, it looks like it's going to rain later." (Common conversational usage)
"We really need to bring attention to the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans." (Activist speaking at a community meeting)
"Could you please bring me a glass of water?" (Request in a home or restaurant setting)
"Let's bring all our ideas together for the brainstorming session." (Colleague in a work meeting)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bring
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address, 1933) - Note: The full quote is long; I've emphasized the part most relevant to the "bring" idea, though his actual words are "give that support to leadership." The spirit of "bringing" about change is central.
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961) - This is a classic example of implied "bring." To "do for your country" is to bring your efforts, talents, and contributions.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech, 1963) - While "bring" isn't explicit, the entire speech is about the aspiration to bring about racial equality and justice.
"That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." (Neil Armstrong, upon stepping on the moon, 1969) - Metaphorically, this step would bring humanity into a new era of space exploration.
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi) - To "be the change" is to bring about that change through your own actions.
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." (Benjamin Franklin, attributed, during the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1776) - The act of "hanging together" implies a collective effort to bring about success or prevent failure.
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon, "Beautiful Boy," 1980) - Life can bring unexpected turns regardless of one's intentions.
"It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness." (Chinese Proverb) - This proverb encourages taking action to bring light and solve problems, rather than merely complaining.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." (Eleanor Roosevelt) - Believing in dreams can bring them to fruition.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky) - Taking a shot is an action that can bring success; not taking one guarantees failure.
Etymology
The word "bring" has a long and interesting history, going all the way back to the very early days of the English language.
Imagine English evolving from its ancestors, like a family tree. "Bring" comes from a very old branch, called Proto-Germanic, which is the ancestor of languages like English, German, Dutch, and Swedish. The Proto-Germanic form was something like "brengan."
From there, it moved into Old English (the earliest form of English spoken before 1150 AD) as "bringan." At this time, its meaning was quite broad and very similar to how we use it today. It meant things like:
To bear or carry: Literally moving something from one place to another.
To convey: Similar to carrying, but perhaps with the idea of delivering something.
To take along in coming: If you were arriving somewhere, and something came with you, you "brought" it.
To bring forth or produce: This sense implied causing something to appear or be created, like "bringing forth fruit" from a tree.
To present or offer: Like offering a gift or presenting an idea.
So, from its very first known uses in Old English, "bring" was already a versatile verb describing the act of causing something or someone to arrive, appear, or be produced. It's a fundamental word that has remained incredibly consistent in its core meaning for over a thousand years!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bring
Bring to mind: To cause someone to remember something.
Bring to light: To reveal something previously hidden or unknown.
Bring down the house: To cause an audience to applaud enthusiastically.
Bring up: To raise a child; to mention a topic.
Bring out: To make something more noticeable or apparent; to publish or release.
Bring on: To cause something to happen or appear, often negative.
Bring in: To introduce; to earn money.
Bring about: To cause something to happen.
Bring oneself to do something: To manage or force oneself to do something, often reluctantly.
Bring to a halt/standstill: To stop completely.
Bring to terms: To force someone to agree to something, often reluctantly.
Bring the house down: (Synonym for "bring down the house") To cause an audience to cheer loudly.
Bring one to their knees: To defeat or humble someone completely.
Bring your A-game: To perform at one's best.
Bring home the bacon: To earn money for the family.
Bring out the big guns: To use one's most powerful resources or arguments.
Bring up the rear: To be at the very back of a group or procession.
Bring to account: To hold someone responsible for their actions.
Bring to bear: To apply influence or force.
Bring a knife to a gunfight: To be inadequately prepared for a confrontation.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bring from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
