brink
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.”
How to use brink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe edge of a steep drop, or figuratively the point just before something major happens.
Word forms
brinks plural, Brinks plural
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
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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.
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