bratty

American  

[brat-ee] / ˈbræt i /

adjective

brattier, brattiest

1. characteristic of or resembling a brat; impudent; ill-mannered.

   bratty remarks; bratty tricks.

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Usage

What does bratty mean? Bratty describes someone or something considered to be ill-mannered, rude, impolite, or overly irritatingly. The term is often used to be hurtful or judgemental of the one being labeled bratty. The person using the term usually disapproves of someone’s actions, whether or not those actions are breaking social conventions. While children are most often the ones labeled as brats and being bratty, adults and animals can also be labeled as brats and being bratty. You might even hear objects, such as a computer or a car, being called bratty when it isn’t working as expected. Brattiness is sometimes associated with rebellion or indecency, particularly in regards to children. Sometimes, you’ll hear someone call themselves bratty to make fun of themselves or to apologize for something they did. Example: My bratty computer keeps shutting down for no reason!

Etymology

Origin of bratty

brat + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Co-produced by Charli XCX collaborators AG Cook and Danny L Harle, it couldn't sound less bratty if it tried.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

Before “stepping into the bratty curls of ‘Oh, Mary!’,” the actress became known for playing prima donnas on TV.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

Just this week, for instance, pundit Chris Cillizza displayed the lack of self-awareness he's known for with a bratty article at the Daily Beast, complaining about "vandalism" inflicted on his Tesla.

From Salon • May 30, 2025

That worst-case scenario never came to pass, and as Macchio can attest, Maridueña “is the antithesis of a bratty kid.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2024

Afterward, Aimee would refer to that meeting at the Karolyi Ranch as my “come-to-Jesus moment,” because that’s when I really started to turn my bratty behavior around.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles