brio

[ bree-oh; Italian bree-aw ]

noun

1. vigor; vivacity.

brio

/ ˈbriːəʊ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of brio¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of brio¹

C19: from Italian, of Celtic origin

Example Sentences

Jim Cramer has managed the magical trick of making whatever really happens on Wall Street sing with the kind of brio that befits the terror or thrill of either losing or winning billions of dollars on stock trades.

From Ozy

In short, Tuchman writes with great brio, exquisite pacing, and a keen eye for telling details and arresting quotes.

From The Daily Beast

The New Yorker critic Pauline Kael dismissed the film as "journalism presented with the brio of drama."

From The Daily Beast

The Guardian calls Hage a stylist and a plotter who manages both “with great brio and expertise.”

From The Daily Beast

Certainly Gurickx played magnificently, and with a brio I have rarely heard equalled.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Other men have painted single heads as well or better: but Hals stands alone in his gusto, his abundance, his surpassing brio.

From Project Gutenberg

When the week was up Mat implored to be left behind with Angela, the maid, and Brio, a big poodle possessed of the devil.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• liveliness
• verve