noun
Uncommon
brunt
bruhnt
Brunt (noun) means the main force or worst part of something difficult, usually in the phrase "bear the brunt". Example: “Coastal towns bore the brunt of the storm.”
noun
1
The main force or worst part of something difficult, usually in the phrase "bear the brunt".
"Coastal towns bore the brunt of the storm."
"Junior staff often bear the brunt of a company's cost cuts."
How to use brunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe heaviest or most damaging part of something bad, almost always paired with "bear".
Common pairings
bear the brunt of
take the brunt
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Word forms
- Plural
- brunts
- Third person singular
- brunts
- Past tense
- brunted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Coastal towns bore the _____ of the storm.
Etymology
From Middle English brunt, meaning a sudden blow or attack, likely linked to an Old Norse word for rushing forward violently.
Related words
Rhymes for brunt
See all rhymes for brunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “brunt” mean?
The word “brunt” means the main force or worst part of something difficult, usually in the phrase "bear the brunt". In plain terms, the heaviest or most damaging part of something bad, almost always paired with "bear".
How do you pronounce “brunt”?
“Brunt” is pronounced bruhnt (/bɹʌnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “brunt” in a sentence?
Here is “brunt” used in a sentence: “Coastal towns bore the brunt of the storm.”
What part of speech is “brunt”?
“Brunt” is a noun.
Where does the word “brunt” come from?
The word “brunt” comes from Middle English. From Middle English brunt, meaning a sudden blow or attack, likely linked to an Old Norse word for rushing forward violently.
Is “brunt” a common word?
“Brunt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
