no-brainer

American  

[noh-brey-ner] / ˈnoʊˈbreɪ nər /

noun

1. Informal. anything requiring little thought or effort; something easy or simple to understand or do.

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no-brainer British  

/ ˌnəʊˈbreɪnə /

noun

1. slang something which requires little or no mental effort

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no-brainer Cultural  

1. Something that is absurdly simple or easy and requires little thought: “Making pumpkin pie can be a no-brainer if you use frozen pastry and canned filling.”

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Etymology

Origin of no-brainer

First recorded in 1975–80

Explanation

An obvious conclusion or an easy decision is a no-brainer. Adding 2 + 2 is a no-brainer, and so is the decision to accept a generous scholarship. The informal no-brainer describes choices that are so clear they're hardly even choices: they require almost no thought, since one alternative is obviously better. Saying yes to the the prize of a trip for four to Disney World is a no-brainer, and when you're shopping for a new laptop, buying the one with more memory that's less expensive is a no-brainer. No-brainer stems from the idea that it doesn't take brains to make a decision so simple.

Example Sentences

Unless there’s a separate goal, the QCD-only approach seems like a no-brainer.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

In Saudi's eyes, Salah is a huge asset as the number one Muslim footballer in the world and, in that sense, it is a no-brainer.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

If this were Beijing, New Delhi or Hanoi, it would be a no-brainer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

While opting for better performance may feel like a no-brainer, the answer is not as easy as it looks.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Okay, getting rid of poisons is a no-brainer.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Related Words

• cakewalk
• cinch