brainstorm
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for brainstorm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To generate ideas freely, often as a group, without immediately judging them.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use brainstorm
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Coined around 1945 by advertising executive Alex Osborn, describing a group "storming" a problem with ideas.
Full origin of brainstorm →Frequently asked questions
What does “brainstorm” mean?
The word “brainstorm” means to generate ideas freely, often as a group, without immediately judging them. In plain terms, to freely generate ideas, usually in a group and without criticizing them right away.
How do you pronounce “brainstorm”?
“Brainstorm” is pronounced BRAYNS-tawm (/ˈbɹeɪnstɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “brainstorm” in a sentence?
Here is “brainstorm” used in a sentence: “The team brainstormed names for the new product for an hour.”
What part of speech is “brainstorm”?
Depending on how it is used, “brainstorm” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “brainstorm” come from?
The word “brainstorm” dates back to around 1945. Coined around 1945 by advertising executive Alex Osborn, describing a group "storming" a problem with ideas.
How many meanings does “brainstorm” have?
“Brainstorm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to generate ideas freely, often as a group, without immediately judging them.