adjective
brainy
BRAY-nee
Brainy (adjective) means Very intelligent. Example: “She was the brainy one in her class, always top of every test.”
adjective
1
Very intelligent.
"She's brainy as well as pretty."
"She was the brainy one in her class, always top of every test."
How to use brainy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmart, clever — usually said informally and warmly rather than as a technical description.
When to use it
Informal, mildly complimentary; use "intelligent" or "academically gifted" in formal writing.
Common pairings
brainy kid
a bit brainy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- brainier
- Superlative
- brainiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was the _____ one in her class, always top of every test.
Etymology
Came from Middle English brayny, equivalent to brain plus -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brainy
See all rhymes for brainy →Frequently asked questions
What does “brainy” mean?
The word “brainy” means very intelligent. In plain terms, smart, clever — usually said informally and warmly rather than as a technical description.
How do you pronounce “brainy”?
“Brainy” is pronounced BRAY-nee (/ˈbɹeɪni/ in IPA).
How do you use “brainy” in a sentence?
Here is “brainy” used in a sentence: “She was the brainy one in her class, always top of every test.”
What part of speech is “brainy”?
“Brainy” is an adjective.
