brim

¹

[ brim ]

noun

1. the upper edge of anything hollow; rim; brink:

   the brim of a cup.

2. a projecting edge:

   the brim of a hat.

3. margin.

verb (used without object)

, brimmed, brim·ming.

1. to be full to the brim.

verb (used with object)

, brimmed, brim·ming.

1. to fill to the brim.

brim

²

[ brim ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) brim, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) brims.

1. Southern U.S. bream ¹( def 4 ).

brim

/ brɪm /

noun

1. the upper rim of a vessel

   the brim of a cup

2. a projecting rim or edge

   the brim of a hat

3. the brink or edge of something

verb

1. to fill or be full to the brim

   eyes brimming with tears

Derived Forms

• ˈbrimless, adjective

Other Words From

• brimless adjective
• brimming·ly adverb
• un·brimming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brim¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English brimme “brink, rim” (earlier, “shore, bank”); apparently akin to Middle High German brem, ( German Bräme ), Old Norse barmr “rim, edge”

Word History and Origins

Origin of brim¹

C13: from Middle High German brem , probably from Old Norse barmr ; see berm

Idioms and Phrases

see filled to the brim .

Synonym Study

See rim.

Example Sentences

Another approach focuses on protecting the rare slices of land and sea that brim with huge numbers of species.

From Science News For Students

Nowadays “beanie” is kind of a catch-all word for hats designed to fit over the ears, without brims or flaps.

From Popular-Science

This year’s holiday season has been filled to the brim with nonstop laughs, great food and good vibes.

From Essence.com

You need to tumble the mussels around during cooking, and you can’t do that if your pot is filled to the brim.

From Washington Post

Keep the mask above the brim of your hat when you run, then quickly flip it down over your nose and mouth when you encounter someone.

From Outside Online

It had a wide brim and a tall crown, which created an insulated pocket of air and could also be used to carry water.

From The Daily Beast

And he had a cowboy hat that he liked touching, too—he smoothed the brim back like it was a ducktail haircut.

From The Daily Beast

On it are balanced a plate of eggs and toast, an open quart jar of grape jelly, and a beer mug full to the brim with orange juice.

From The Daily Beast

Just as his fingers touched the brim, his foot would kick the hat out of reach.

From The Daily Beast

At times like these you must be careful not to brim over with elation-into-crashing-despair.

From The Daily Beast

The rebellious brown hair was almost in the shade of my own dashing hat-brim.

From Project Gutenberg

Gunn touched the brim of his soft felt hat, which he wore turned down all round apparently in imitation of a flower-pot.

From Project Gutenberg

At the farm-gate they met Dorothy, fresh and blooming as a rose, with a pail in each hand foaming to the brim with milk.

From Project Gutenberg

Piegan was already mounted, watching us whimsically from under the dripping brim of his hat.

From Project Gutenberg

She wore a black silk cloak, a dark grey hat with a wide brim, and a broad satin ribbon under her chin.

From Project Gutenberg