noun
Uncommon
brute
broot
Brute (noun) means a rough, violent, or unthinking person. Example: “The bouncer looked like a brute, but he was actually gentle and soft-spoken.”
noun
1
A rough, violent, or unthinking person.
"The bouncer looked like a brute, but he was actually gentle and soft-spoken."
"Stop acting like a brute and apologize."
adjective
1
Purely physical, with no reasoning or subtlety involved.
"The wall was knocked down with brute force alone."
"Brute strength wasn't enough — the puzzle needed cleverness."
How to use brute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA crude, animal-like force or person, with no intelligence or finesse involved.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "brute force" (raw power/effort) with "force of habit" — different idioms entirely.
Common pairings
brute force
brute strength
a brute of a man
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Word forms
- Plural
- brutes
- Third person singular
- brutes
- Past tense
- bruted
- Comparative
- more brute
- Superlative
- most brute
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bouncer looked like a _____, but he was actually gentle and soft-spoken.
Etymology
From Latin brutus (\"dull, stupid, insensible\"), the same root behind \"brutal\" and \"brutish.\"
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for brute
See all rhymes for brute →Frequently asked questions
What does “brute” mean?
The word “brute” means a rough, violent, or unthinking person. In plain terms, a crude, animal-like force or person, with no intelligence or finesse involved.
How do you pronounce “brute”?
“Brute” is pronounced broot (/bɹut/ in IPA).
How do you use “brute” in a sentence?
Here is “brute” used in a sentence: “The bouncer looked like a brute, but he was actually gentle and soft-spoken.”
What part of speech is “brute”?
Depending on how it is used, “brute” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “brute” come from?
The word “brute” comes from Latin. From Latin brutus (\"dull, stupid, insensible\"), the same root behind \"brutal\" and \"brutish.\".
Is “brute” a common word?
“Brute” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brute” have?
“Brute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rough, violent, or unthinking person.
