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

In plain EnglishCasual shorthand for someone from Britain.

When to use it

Informal — fine in conversation, less so in formal writing.

Word forms

britted past tense, Brits plural, brit plural, brits plural, brits singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Brit” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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."

· First attested 1901

Class of 1901 Brit joined the language around 1901.
See the full Class of 1901 →

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.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial