brio

[ bree-oh; Italian bree-aw ]
See synonyms for brio on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. vigor; vivacity.

Origin of brio

1
First recorded in 1725–35; from Italian, from Spanish brío “energy, determination,” from assumed Celtic brīgos; compare Old Irish bríg (feminine) “power, strength, force,” Middle Welsh bri (masculine) “honor, dignity, authority”

Words Nearby brio

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use brio in a sentence

  • A new clue would soon be given and at once Oscar was off again with renewed brio to finer effects.

  • He plays very correctly, one might say without a fault, but I have heard violinists who play with more brio.

    The Sunny Side of Diplomatic Life, 1875-1912 | Lillie DeHegermann-Lindencrone
  • Other men have painted single heads as well or better: but Hals stands alone in his gusto, his abundance, his surpassing brio.

    A Wanderer in Holland | E. V. Lucas
  • When the week was up Mat implored to be left behind with Angela, the maid, and brio, a big poodle possessed of the devil.

    Shawl-Straps | Louisa M. Alcott

British Dictionary definitions for brio

brio

/ (ˈbriːəʊ) /


noun
  1. liveliness or vigour; spirit: See also con brio

Origin of brio

1
C19: from Italian, of Celtic origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012