Word
brainer
Phoneticsbrain·er, stress on the first syllable
/ˈbɹeɪnɝ/
Countable noun Informal
Definition
n. a choice or decision that is so easy you do not even have to think about it. You use this when the right answer is very obvious.
n. an easy or obvious decision that requires little to no mental effort. Informal in register; typically used in the phrase 'a no-brainer'.
Examples
“Taking the job with a higher salary was a total brainer.”
“With a fifty percent discount on the table, choosing that laptop was a complete no-brainer for me.”
“While some critics argued over the technical specifications, most consumers found the upgraded model to be a no-brainer given its significantly lower price point and improved battery life.”
Examples
simple
“Taking the job with a higher salary was a total brainer.”
contextual
“With a fifty percent discount on the table, choosing that laptop was a complete no-brainer for me.”
complex
“While some critics argued over the technical specifications, most consumers found the upgraded model to be a no-brainer given its significantly lower price point and improved battery life.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the idiomatic compound 'no-brainer'.
Pitfall
It was a no brainer decision.
It was a no-brainer.
The word is usually used as a noun on its own rather than as an adjective modifying another noun.
Real-World Examples
“Many felt if Britain could rejoin on its old terms it would be a “no brainer”.” “For Connor, it's a no brainer as there are no fees for sellers.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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