brio

American  

[bree-oh, bree-aw] / ˈbri oʊ, ˈbri ɔ /

noun

1. vigor; vivacity.

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brio British  

/ ˈbriːəʊ /

noun

1. liveliness or vigour; spirit See also con brio

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Etymology

Origin of brio

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”

Explanation

If someone's got brio, they're full of spirited enthusiasm. You know that counselor who gets the whole camp incredibly excited about playing Capture the Flag? She's got brio! Energy, vivacity, and style are all important elements of brio. If you do something with brio, you bring all of your zest and vigor to it. If you sing a karaoke song with brio, you might get the whole room singing along and applauding. And your uncle might be known for telling scary campfire stories with brio, using spooky voices and elaborate hand gestures. In Italian, brio means "mettle, fire, or life," from a Celtic word meaning "strength."

Related Words

• liveliness
• verve