brink
BRIHNGK
Brink (noun) means the edge of something steep or dangerous, such as a cliff. Example: “They stood at the brink of the canyon, looking down.”
noun
1
The edge of something steep or dangerous, such as a cliff.
"They stood at the brink of the canyon, looking down."
2
The point right before something (often something serious) happens.
"The two countries were on the brink of war."
"The company was on the brink of bankruptcy before the buyout."
How to use brink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe edge of a steep drop, or figuratively the point just before something major happens.
Common pairings
on the brink of
brink of disaster
brink of war
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like brink.
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
- brinks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They stood at the _____ of the canyon, looking down.
Etymology
From Middle English brinke, related to Old Norse words for the edge of a slope or hill — the physical "edge of a drop" sense came first, and the figurative "on the verge of" sense followed later.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for brink
See all rhymes for brink →Frequently asked questions
What does “brink” mean?
The word “brink” means the edge of something steep or dangerous, such as a cliff. In plain terms, the edge of a steep drop, or figuratively the point just before something major happens.
How do you pronounce “brink”?
“Brink” is pronounced BRIHNGK (/ˈbɹɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “brink” in a sentence?
Here is “brink” used in a sentence: “They stood at the brink of the canyon, looking down.”
What part of speech is “brink”?
“Brink” is a noun.
Where does the word “brink” come from?
The word “brink” comes from Middle English. From Middle English brinke, related to Old Norse words for the edge of a slope or hill — the physical "edge of a drop" sense came first, and the figurative "on the verge of" sense followed later.
Is “brink” a common word?
“Brink” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “brink” have?
“Brink” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the edge of something steep or dangerous, such as a cliff.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include brink:
