brain
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.the organ inside your head that controls your body, thoughts, and feelings.
n.the primary organ of the central nervous system in the skull, responsible for cognition, memory, and motor control.
Simple“The human brain uses a lot of energy even when you are sleeping.”
In context“Neuroscientists are still mapping the complex neural pathways within the human brain to understand how memory is stored.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.your ability to think, learn, and solve problems.
n.intellectual capacity or mental ability; often used in the plural to refer to high intelligence.
Simple“She has the brains to become a doctor if she works hard.”
In context“It took a lot of brains to figure out the logistics of moving the entire office over a single weekend.”
UsageOften used in the plural form 'brains' when referring to general intelligence.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person who is very intelligent.
n.a highly intelligent person, often one who provides the intellectual leadership for a project.
Simple“Ask Sarah for help with the math homework; she is the brain of the class.”
In context“He was known as the brain behind the operation, coordinating every technical detail from the home office.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the part of a machine or computer that does the thinking and calculations.
n.the central processing unit or control mechanism of a machine, likened to a biological brain.
Simple“The computer's brain was damaged when the coffee spilled on the desk.”
In context“The onboard computer serves as the brain of the spacecraft, managing life support and navigation systems simultaneously.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to hit someone very hard on the head.
v.to strike someone forcefully on the head; historically, to kill by smashing the skull.
Simple“The cartoon character tried to brain the giant with a large wooden hammer.”
In context“In the old adventure novel, the hero nearly got brained by a falling rock while escaping the cave.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Teacher's tipThis is quite violent and informal; it is often used in a slightly exaggerated or humorous way in modern speech.
Synonymsclobberbash
Usage brain regions · brain health · brain cells
From Middle English brayn, brain, from Old English bræġn (“brain”), from Proto-West Germanic bragn, from Proto-Germanic bragną (“brain”), from Proto-Indo-European mregʰnom (“skull, brain”), from Proto-Indo-European mregʰ- (“marrow, sinciput”) + *-mn̥ (“nominal suffix”). Cognate with Scots braine, brane (“brain”), North Frisian brayen, brein, Brain (“brain”), Saterland Frisian Brainge, Bräienge (“brain”), West Frisian brein (“brain”), Dutch brein (“brain”), Low German Brägen, Bregen (“brain”) (whence German Bregen (“animal brain”)), Ancient Greek βρεχμός (brekhmós, “front part of the skull, top of the head”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.