noun
brainwave
Brainwave (noun) means a sudden clever idea or inspiration. Example: “He had a brainwave and fixed the bug in minutes.”
noun
1
A sudden clever idea or inspiration.
"He had a brainwave and fixed the bug in minutes."
2
A rhythmic pattern of electrical activity in the brain, as measured by an EEG.
"The device tracks brainwave activity during sleep."
How to use brainwave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a flash of inspiration, or the measurable electrical activity of the brain.
UK vs US
The "sudden good idea" sense is more common in British English; Americans more often say "brainstorm."
Common pairings
have a brainwave
brainwave activity
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Word forms
- Plural
- brainwaves
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He had a _____ and fixed the bug in minutes.
Etymology
Formed from brain and wave.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for brainwave
See all rhymes for brainwave →Frequently asked questions
What does “brainwave” mean?
The word “brainwave” means a sudden clever idea or inspiration. In plain terms, either a flash of inspiration, or the measurable electrical activity of the brain.
How do you use “brainwave” in a sentence?
Here is “brainwave” used in a sentence: “He had a brainwave and fixed the bug in minutes.”
What part of speech is “brainwave”?
“Brainwave” is a noun.
How many meanings does “brainwave” have?
“Brainwave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden clever idea or inspiration.
