bromide

American  

[broh-mahyd, broh-mid] / ˈbroʊ maɪd, ˈbroʊ mɪd /

noun

1. Chemistry.

   1. a salt of hydrobromic acid consisting of two elements, one of which is bromine, as sodium bromide, NaBr.

   2. a compound containing bromine, as methyl bromide.

2. Pharmacology. potassium bromide, known to produce central nervous system depression, formerly used as a sedative.

3. a platitude or trite saying.

4. a person who is platitudinous and boring.

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bromide British  

/ ˈbrəʊmaɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrobromic acid, containing the monovalent ion Br ^– ( bromide ion )

2. any compound containing a bromine atom, such as methyl bromide

3. a dose of sodium or potassium bromide given as a sedative

4. 1. a trite saying; platitude

   2. a dull or boring person

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bromide Scientific  

/ brō′mīd′ /

1. A compound, such as potassium bromide, containing bromine and another element or radical.

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Other Word Forms

• subbromide noun

Etymology

Origin of bromide

First recorded in 1830–40; brom- + -ide ( def. ); bromide in defs. 3, 4 from use of some bromides as sedatives

Explanation

A bromide is a common saying or proverb that is obvious and not that helpful, like "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Some people love to say things like "Follow your dreams" and "Love takes hard work." Such trite, clichéd sayings are bromides. A bromide isn't very helpful or specific, and people tend to say them over and over again. The word bromide comes from the chemical compound made of the element bromine and another metal. This kind of bromide was historically used as a sedative, a medicine that dulls your senses, just as figurative bromides are boring and dull.

Example Sentences

The preferred bromide tends to be lower interest rates.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Last year, a nutritionist ended up hospitalized after taking ChatGPT’s advice to replace salt in his diet with sodium bromide.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026

Altman then continued with an Elon Musk-like bromide, in that the value of going public is to shut up critics who would bet against the stock.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

The company also had to recall more than 135,000 vials of vecuronium bromide, a muscle relaxer used during surgery, after reports that the medication contained glass particles.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

It’s much better medicine than valerian or bromide.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Related Words

• cliché