Word
bracing
Phoneticsbrac·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹeɪsɪŋ/
UK/bɹˈeɪsɪŋ/
Definition
adj. fresh and full of energy. You use this to describe something cold or sharp that makes you feel more awake and healthy.
adj. imparting a feeling of vigor or freshness; physically or mentally stimulating. Often used to describe cold weather, sea air, or a blunt but helpful piece of criticism.
Examples
“The bracing sea air woke us up immediately.”
“After hours in the stuffy office, a bracing walk in the winter wind felt wonderful.”
“The professor provided a bracing critique of the student's thesis, stripping away the unnecessary jargon to reveal the core flaws in the argument.”
Examples
simple
“The bracing sea air woke us up immediately.”
contextual
“After hours in the stuffy office, a bracing walk in the winter wind felt wonderful.”
complex
“The professor provided a bracing critique of the student's thesis, stripping away the unnecessary jargon to reveal the core flaws in the argument.”
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'feel'.
Real-World Examples
“Hawaii is bracing for what could be its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1992, as category one storm Lala churns off its coast.” “The rest of the island chain is bracing for 10.2 to 15.2 centimetres (4 to 6 inches) of precipitation.” “These are the words coming up frequently in comments sent to the BBC by women who, having barely recovered from the record-breaking heat in June, are bracing for more hot weather.” Etymology
By surface analysis, brace + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/bracing