noun
Uncommon
Brit
briht
Brit (noun) means an informal word for a British person. Example: “A group of Brits were touring the museum.”
noun
1
An informal word for a British person.
"A group of Brits were touring the museum."
How to use Brit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCasual shorthand for someone from Britain.
When to use it
Informal — fine in conversation, less so in formal writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Brits
- Third person singular
- brits
- Past tense
- britted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A group of _____ were touring the museum.
Etymology
A shortening first recorded around 1901, likely clipped from "Briton" or "British."
Class of 1901
Brit joined the language around 1901.
See the full Class of 1901 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Brit
See all rhymes for Brit →Frequently asked questions
What does “Brit” mean?
The word “Brit” means an informal word for a British person. In plain terms, casual shorthand for someone from Britain.
How do you pronounce “Brit”?
“Brit” is pronounced briht (/bɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “Brit” in a sentence?
Here is “Brit” used in a sentence: “A group of Brits were touring the museum.”
What part of speech is “Brit”?
“Brit” is a noun.
Where does the word “Brit” come from?
The word “Brit” dates back to around 1901. A shortening first recorded around 1901, likely clipped from "Briton" or "British.".
Is “Brit” a common word?
“Brit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is "Brit" the same as "Briton"?
Both refer to a British person, but "Brit" is an informal, shortened word while "Briton" is a more formal or historical term. "Brit" is common in everyday speech and headlines, whereas "Briton" appears more often in formal or historical writing.
Is "Brit" an informal or formal way to describe someone British?
"Brit" is informal. It works well in casual conversation, news headlines, and everyday writing, but a more formal document would typically use "British person" or "Briton" instead.
Can "Brit" refer to any British person, or only someone from England?
"Brit" refers to a British person generally, meaning anyone from the United Kingdom, not just England specifically. It is a broad, informal label rather than one tied to a single nation within the UK.
