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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

brainiacs plural

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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.

· First attested 1958

Class of 1958 brainiac joined the language around 1958.
See the full Class of 1958 →

Related words

Rhymes for brainiac

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial