brain fart

American

[breyn fahrt] / ˈbreɪn ˌfɑrt /

noun

Slang:

a brief mental lapse, especially an instance of forgetfulness or confusion.

I had a brief brain fart and introduced him by the wrong name.

Etymology

Origin of brain fart

First recorded in 1985–90

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.

While the risks and horrors of dementia are serious, the occasional brain fart, particularly when we're sleep-deprived or stressed, shouldn't be something to get even more sleep-deprived and stressed about.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2024

I screwed up the solo thanks to a huge brain fart.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2023

Despite Matt's brain fart being the talk of Twitter, he still went on to win the game, according to Yahoo!.

From Fox News • Jun. 11, 2021

The "cucumber" moment was a "brain fart" because it was one of her first appearances on live television and she was nervous, she added.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2020

Of all the times for a brain fart.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023