English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

Brannigan

Quiz me More like this

Brannigan (noun) means a drinking spree or bout of heavy drinking. Example: “They went on a brannigan the night before the wedding.”

noun
1
A drinking spree or bout of heavy drinking.
"They went on a brannigan the night before the wedding."
2
A noisy quarrel or brawl.
"The second round was a brannigan from bell to bell. Both men went out for blood and both got it." — Louis L'Amour, May There Be a Road: Stories (2005)
"A brannigan broke out at the back of the pub."

How to use Brannigan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned informal word for a heavy drinking session or a rowdy fight.

When to use it

Dated and informal; rarely used in everyday modern speech.

Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Brannigan.
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
Brannigans
Test yourself on “Brannigan” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They went on a _____ the night before the wedding.

Etymology

From the Irish surname Ó Branagáin, itself derived from bran ("raven") — the word drifted from a personal name into slang for a drunken spree.

Origin: Irish

Rhymes for Brannigan

See all rhymes for Brannigan →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Brannigan” mean?
The word “Brannigan” means a drinking spree or bout of heavy drinking. In plain terms, an old-fashioned informal word for a heavy drinking session or a rowdy fight.
How do you use “Brannigan” in a sentence?
Here is “Brannigan” used in a sentence: “They went on a brannigan the night before the wedding.”
What part of speech is “Brannigan”?
“Brannigan” is a noun.
Where does the word “Brannigan” come from?
The word “Brannigan” comes from Irish. From the Irish surname Ó Branagáin, itself derived from bran ("raven") — the word drifted from a personal name into slang for a drunken spree.
How many meanings does “Brannigan” have?
“Brannigan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drinking spree or bout of heavy drinking.

Featured in