brat

[brat]

noun

1. a child, especially an annoying, spoiled, or impolite child (usually used in contempt or irritation).

brat

¹

/ bræt /

noun

1. a child, esp one who is ill-mannered or unruly: used contemptuously or playfully

brat

²

/ bræt /

noun

1. dialect,  an apron or overall

Other Word Forms

• brattish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brat¹

First recorded in 1500–20; perhaps transferred use of Middle English brat “cloak of coarse cloth, rag,” Old English bratt “cloak,” from Celtic; compare Irish brat “mantle, cloak”

Word History and Origins

Origin of brat¹

C16: perhaps special use of earlier brat rag, from Old English bratt cloak, of Celtic origin; related to Old Irish bratt cloth, _brat ²

Origin of brat²

from Old English brat cloak; related to Old Irish bratt cloth used to cover the body

Example Sentences

The smell of burgers, brats and other grilled delicacies wafted through the air as children played football on the grass and a nearby patch of dirt.

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“Because ye scared me parrot, ye scurvy brat!” the captain roared.

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Freddie isn’t merely the petulant brat of the first Broadway production, but suffering from bipolar disorder.

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Mahan was an Air Force brat who lived throughout the United States and, for a time, in England before his father retired from the military and started looking for a place to settle.

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On “Actually Romantic,” listeners point to lyrics like “when the coke’s got you brave” as a nod to Charli’s drug-heavy songs from “brat.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• punk 
• rascal