noun
brainiac
BRAY-nee-ak
Brainiac (noun) means Informal: a very intelligent, studious person. Example: “Her older brother was a total brainiac who finished school two years early.”
noun
1
Informal: a very intelligent, studious person.
"Her older brother was a total brainiac who finished school two years early."
How to use brainiac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, often affectionate term for someone very smart or bookish.
When to use it
Informal — fine in conversation, too casual for formal writing.
Common pairings
a total brainiac
class brainiac
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like brainiac.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- brainiacs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her older brother was a total _____ who finished school two years early.
Etymology
A blend of brain and maniac, popularized by the name of a supervillain in the Superman comics from 1958.
Class of 1958
brainiac joined the language around 1958.
See the full Class of 1958 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brainiac
zodiac
cardiac
Pontiac
amnesiac
insomniac
egomaniac
pyromaniac
aphrodisiac
kleptomaniac
megalomaniac
nymphomaniac
hypochondriac
See all rhymes for brainiac →
Frequently asked questions
What does “brainiac” mean?
The word “brainiac” means informal: a very intelligent, studious person. In plain terms, a casual, often affectionate term for someone very smart or bookish.
How do you pronounce “brainiac”?
“Brainiac” is pronounced BRAY-nee-ak (/ˈbɹeɪniæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “brainiac” in a sentence?
Here is “brainiac” used in a sentence: “Her older brother was a total brainiac who finished school two years early.”
What part of speech is “brainiac”?
“Brainiac” is a noun.
Where does the word “brainiac” come from?
The word “brainiac” dates back to around 1958. A blend of brain and maniac, popularized by the name of a supervillain in the Superman comics from 1958.
