briny
1 Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of briny1
First recorded in 1600–10; brine + -y 1
Origin of briny2
Explanation
If something is briny, it's wet and salty, like seawater. You should probably rinse out your briny swimsuit and hang it to dry in the sun. Salty ocean water is briny, and seafood often tastes a bit briny as well: "I love these briny oysters, but my brother can't stand them." Your brother may also like to keep his feet on the beach while you dive into the briny water. In the 17th century, briny was originally used to describe tears. The Old English root is bryne, "water saturated with salt."
Vocabulary lists containing briny
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Briny capers add another layer of texture, and creamy feta cheese contrasts with the crisp, cool vegetables.
From Washington Times • Jul. 17, 2023
He has six runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour without a victory — tied with Colin Montgomerie and Briny Baird for the most in the past 40 years.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 8, 2023
Records show that Richardson registered Briny Deep LLC at his home address in Virginia shortly after he retired from the Navy in 2019.
From Washington Post • Mar. 7, 2023
Among their predictions: Briny flavors, chicken skins, high-end Jell-O shots, and Ube, a slightly nutty-tasting, vanilla-scented purple yam from the Philippines.
From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2022
He was thinking of Mr. Poe walking toward them at Briny Beach, with his terrible message.
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
