brash

[brash]

adjective

brasher, brashest 

1. impertinent; impudent; tactless.

   a brash young man.

2. hasty; rash; impetuous.

   Synonyms: precipitate, foolhardy, imprudent, overhasty, reckless
   Antonyms: careful, prudent, wary, cautious

3. energetic or highly spirited, especially in an irreverent way; zesty.

   a brash new musical.

4. (used especially of wood) brittle.

noun

1. a pile or stack of loose fragments or debris, as of rocks or hedge clippings.

2. brash ice.

3. Pathology.,  heartburn.

4. Scot. and North England Dialect.

   1. a sudden shower or burst of rain.

   2. any sudden, minor sickness or indisposition, especially of the digestive tract.

   3. an assault; attack.

brash

¹

/ bræʃ /

adjective

1. tastelessly or offensively loud, showy, or bold

2. hasty; rash

3. impudent

brash

²

/ bræʃ /

noun

1. loose rubbish, such as broken rock, hedge clippings, etc; debris

brash

³

/ bræʃ /

noun

1. pathol another name for heartburn

Other Word Forms

• brashly adverb
• brashness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brash¹

First recorded in 1400–50; (noun) late Middle English brass(c)he “a slap, crash,” perhaps blend of brok(e) ( Old English broc “breach, fragment, sickness”; akin to break ) and dasch “smashing blow”; dash ¹; (adjective) in the sense “brittle” is derivative of the noun; in the sense “hasty” by confusion with rash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of brash¹

C19: perhaps influenced by _rash ¹

Origin of brash²

C18: of unknown origin

Origin of brash³

C16: perhaps of imitative origin

Example Sentences

On one side is the brash, Silicon Valley “move fast and break things” ethos, where asking for forgiveness is seen as preferable to asking for permission.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The brash Republican has converted parts of the White House to resemble his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, particularly the newly paved-over Rose Garden with its picnic tables and yellow and white umbrellas.

Read more on Barron's

Striding confidently into his first starring role, the L.A.-born breakout talent is a bright new discovery with shining eyes and brash exuberance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A short sharp negotiation in Egypt suits his brash, bullying style.

Read more on BBC

Logan’s Bea, a diva with a revolving grudge, never worries if she’s being too bold or brash.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bold 
• brazen 
• cheeky 
• cocky 
• rude