brio

[ bree-oh; Italian bree-aw ]

/ ˈbri oʊ; Italian ˈbri ɔ /

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noun

vigor; vivacity.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of brio

First recorded in 1725–35; from Italian, from Spanish brío “energy, determination,” from assumed Celtic brīgos; compare Old Irish bríg (feminine) “power, strength, force,” Middle Welsh bri (masculine) “honor, dignity, authority”

Words nearby brio

brinkmanship, Brinnin, brinny, Brinton, briny, brio, brioche, briolette, briony, briquet, Briquet's syndrome

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brio in a sentence

Jim Cramer has managed the magical trick of making whatever really happens on Wall Street sing with the kind of brio that befits the terror or thrill of either losing or winning billions of dollars on stock trades.
Making a Killing With Jim Cramer|Eugene Robinson|February 1, 2021|Ozy
In short, Tuchman writes with great brio, exquisite pacing, and a keen eye for telling details and arresting quotes.
Barbara Tuchman’s ‘The Guns of August’ Is Still WWI’s Peerless Chronicle|James A. Warren|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The New Yorker critic Pauline Kael dismissed the film as "journalism presented with the brio of drama."
Goodfellas Turns 20|Sean Macaulay|September 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Guardian calls Hage a stylist and a plotter who manages both “with great brio and expertise.”
This Week's Hot Reads|The Daily Beast|October 20, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Certainly Gurickx played magnificently, and with a brio I have rarely heard equalled.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
A new clue would soon be given and at once Oscar was off again with renewed brio to finer effects.
Oscar Wilde, Volume 2 (of 2)|Frank Harris
He plays very correctly, one might say without a fault, but I have heard violinists who play with more brio.
The Sunny Side of Diplomatic Life, 1875-1912|Lillie DeHegermann-Lindencrone
Other men have painted single heads as well or better: but Hals stands alone in his gusto, his abundance, his surpassing brio.
A Wanderer in Holland|E. V. Lucas
When the week was up Mat implored to be left behind with Angela, the maid, and Brio, a big poodle possessed of the devil.
Shawl-Straps|Louisa M. Alcott

British Dictionary definitions for brio

brio

/ (ˈbriːəʊ) /

noun

liveliness or vigour; spiritSee also con brio

Word Origin for brio

C19: from Italian, of Celtic origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

brio

Origin of brio

Words nearby brio

Words related to brio

How to use brio in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brio

Word Origin for brio