brat
a child, especially an annoying, spoiled, or impolite child (usually used in contempt or irritation).
Origin of brat
1word story For brat
Brat probably comes from a Celtic language: in Irish, bratt means “a cloak, a cloth (especially as a covering for one’s body)”; in Welsh, brethyn means “cloth.” In Old English, bratt “cloak” is used in the Lindisfarne Gospels dating to the early 8th century, composed on Lindisfarne, an island off the east coast of Northumberland. Chaucer uses brat “a cloak of cloth” in The Canterbury Tales (after 1394). In British dialects of the Midlands and North, brat means “a woman’s or child’s apron, pinafore.”
The American military slang term army brat, “the son or daughter of a career officer or enlisted person,” dates to the early 1930s. Brat pack, “a successful, highly confident, and often close-knit group of famous young people, especially actors,” dates to the mid-1980s.
Other words from brat
- brattish, adjective
Words Nearby brat
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use brat in a sentence
Swissmar’s grill has eight trays and a nonstick top for preparing additional fixings like vegetables or brats right at the table.
She was born in Ukraine and said in a 2019 interview with American Cinematographer that she was an “army brat” who grew up on an Arctic military base.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Was Killed by a Prop Gun on the Film Set of Rust. Here's What We Know So Far | Andrew R. Chow | October 22, 2021 | TimeSilver Spring’s Silver Branch brewery, which specializes in old-world beers, takes Oktoberfest to a different level with 12 days of competitions, polka music, pretzels, brats and, of course, Oktoberfest beers, beginning Thursday.
The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6 | Fritz Hahn, Anying Guo, Haben Kelati, Adele Chapin | September 30, 2021 | Washington PostThey decided it was time for their Americanized brats to get some Krampus in their lives.
I brought my kids to the Devil for Christmas. And they’re fine. Right? | Petula Dvorak | December 17, 2020 | Washington PostIts 200-square-inch cook surface is plenty for the two of us, and its 12,000-BTU double burner was enough to cook a few brats, zucchini, and corn.
5 Portable Grills for All Your Outdoor Cooking Needs | Amy Marturana Winderl | September 2, 2020 | Outside Online
Poor Stone, like most of us, forced to share a stage with this unpredictable, spoiled brat, looked uncomfortable.
McCarthy replaced Eric Cantor, who stepped down after losing his primary last month to anti-immigration candidate Dave brat.
The contemporary Luz James, a military brat, lives with her sergeant mother.
He ran the same kind of campaign against brat that he ran a dozen years earlier against Jones, relying on negative ads and mail.
Did Cooter From ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Beat Eric Cantor? | Eleanor Clift | June 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTbrat was dramatically outraised and outspent by the House majority leader.
If less was accomplished in a day than usual, she would often exclaim, "That brat takes up too much of your time."
The proper sourness is indicated by the formation of a stiff brat upon the surface which has become uneven.
Domestic Animals | Richard L. Allen“Never saw I such a brat among all I have brought into the world,” old Posset quavered.
A Lady of Quality | Frances Hodgson Burnett“Sir Jeoffry missed his mark when he called her an ugly brat,” said the woman who had nursed her.
A Lady of Quality | Frances Hodgson BurnettUnless, I am very much mistaken you liked the girl yourself till the brat came along and wiped your eye.
Happy House | Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
British Dictionary definitions for brat (1 of 2)
/ (bræt) /
a child, esp one who is ill-mannered or unruly: used contemptuously or playfully
Origin of brat
1British Dictionary definitions for brat (2 of 2)
/ (bræt) /
Northern English dialect an apron or overall
Origin of brat
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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