brush

Brush is a term with several related meanings. Most commonly, a brush is a tool consisting of a handle with bristles, filaments, or fibers attached at one end, used for cleaning, painting, grooming, or applying substances. Bristles may be natural, such as hog, horsehair, or plant fibers, or synthetic, such as nylon or polyester. The tool comes in various shapes and stiffness to suit different tasks. Paintbrushes, for example, use flat, round, filbert, or fan bristles and range from soft artist brushes to stiff utility brushes. Hairbrushes and toothbrushes are grooming implements with handles and bristles designed for hair or teeth, sometimes with ergonomic shapes or added features such as rubber cushions or nylon tufts.

Brush also denotes dense vegetation consisting of shrubs and small trees, known as brushland, scrub, or scrubland depending on region. This sense is common in ecological or land-management discussions, and such areas may be prone to wildfires in dry climates. As a verb, brush means to touch or remove lightly by sweeping, or to clean or apply something by brushing, as in brushing dust from a surface or brushing teeth.

Use and care: brushes should be cleaned after use and dried to prevent damage or odor. Natural bristles are often cleaned with mild soap and water; synthetic bristles are typically rinsed and allowed to air-dry. Replacing worn brushes helps maintain performance and hygiene.