"broddle" means a british dialectal verb meaning to poke or pierce something — typically with a pointed implement. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
broddle
A British dialectal verb meaning to poke or pierce something — typically with a pointed implement.
Seen in the wild
Firecrawl: Businessman plotted to intimidate lawyers with fake bombs, jury hearsApr 2023
Michael Broddle, 46, of Hounslow, west London, has already admitted planting the devices and that he did so as part of a conspiracy, not working alone.
View source
Firecrawl: Footballer turned South Yorkshire Police officer sacked for drug use
Chief Constable Steven Watson said he had "no doubt" the appropriate sanction was to dismiss him immediately. [Read more about this and other stories from across South Yorkshire](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-engla…
View source
Firecrawl: Julian Broddle - Wikipedia
"Scunthorpe United F.C."), where he would become one of Scunthorpe's top 25 scorers of all time over a four-year period.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Broddle#cite_note-scunny-3) Broddle scored his very…
View source
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK
A British dialectal verb meaning to poke or pierce something — typically with a pointed implement. Related to 'brode' (to goad or prod) and similar to 'prod'. The word is regional and archaic, surviving mainly in Northern English dialect records and historical texts.
She broddled at the fire with a stick to get it going again.
Origin: From dialectal English 'brode' or 'brad' (a pointed tool or nail); related to similar words for poking or piercing. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
For parents
"broddle" means a british dialectal verb meaning to poke or pierce something — typically with a pointed implement. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
For ESL learners
"broddle" is informal English meaning a british dialectal verb meaning to poke or pierce something — typically with a pointed implement. It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "a british dialectal verb meaning to poke or pierce something — typically with a pointed implement" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "broddle" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing.
Was this helpful?
Comments
UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(British, dialect) To poke; to pierce.
Heard in the wild
“Michael Broddle, 46, of Hounslow, west London, has already admitted planting the devices and that he did so as part of a conspiracy, not working alone.”
“Chief Constable Steven Watson said he had "no doubt" the appropriate sanction was to dismiss him immediately. [Read more about this and other stories from across South Yorkshire](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-england-south-yorkshire-38347842) The hearing was told Mr Broddle, 52, tested positive for cocaine in March 2016 after providing a urine sample.”
“"Scunthorpe United F.C."), where he would become one of Scunthorpe's top 25 scorers of all time over a four-year period.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Broddle#cite_note-scunny-3) Broddle scored his very first goal against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on his Birthday, and went on to score 50 goals in his career.”
Was this helpful?
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Used in
UK
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "broddle".
🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang
UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.
See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "broddle" (B)
Browse all slang words starting with B.