brim

¹

[ brim ]

noun

1. the upper edge of anything hollow; rim; brink:

   the brim of a cup.

2. a projecting edge:

   the brim of a hat.

3. margin.

verb (used without object)

, brimmed, brim·ming.

1. to be full to the brim.

verb (used with object)

, brimmed, brim·ming.

1. to fill to the brim.

brim

²

[ brim ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) brim, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) brims.

1. Southern U.S. bream ¹( def 4 ).

brim

/ brɪm /

noun

1. the upper rim of a vessel

   the brim of a cup

2. a projecting rim or edge

   the brim of a hat

3. the brink or edge of something

verb

1. to fill or be full to the brim

   eyes brimming with tears

Derived Forms

• ˈbrimless, adjective

Other Words From

• brimless adjective
• brimming·ly adverb
• un·brimming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brim¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English brimme “brink, rim” (earlier, “shore, bank”); apparently akin to Middle High German brem, ( German Bräme ), Old Norse barmr “rim, edge”

Word History and Origins

Origin of brim¹

C13: from Middle High German brem , probably from Old Norse barmr ; see berm

Idioms and Phrases

see filled to the brim .

Synonym Study

See rim.

Example Sentences

Last June, on a sweaty summer evening, in our 550-square-foot Brooklyn apartment filled to the brim with towers of stacked moving boxes, my partner and I took a final appraisal of what our cross-country move to New York City had officially cost us.

From Salon

I had this big USA hat with a long brim, and I remember trying to cover it in the pins.

From Los Angeles Times

Our dining table was always filled to the brim with an elaborate spread of homemade entrees and sweets.

From Salon

However, there were some slight changes that one fan took issue with online — namely, the fact that Elphaba's eyes were visible and not covered by the brim of her witch's hat, as in the original Playbill — so they changed it.

From Salon

A few puffs later, Noel Telles looked out from under the wide brim of his Ace Hardware sun hat and offered his own assessment.

From Los Angeles Times