adjective

brainy

BRAY-nee

Brainy (adjective) means Very intelligent. Example: “She was the brainy one in her class, always top of every test.”

adjective

Very intelligent.

"She was the brainy one in her class, always top of every test."

How to use brainy

Learner’s notes

In 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

brainier comparative, brainiest superlative

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She was the _____ one in her class, always top of every test.

From Middle English brayny; equivalent to brain + -y.

Origin: Middle English

tiny miny shiny rainy spiny whiny Pliny briny grainy mutiny jiminy destiny

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.