Word
brainstorm
Phoneticsbrain·storm, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹeɪnˌstɔɹm/
UK/bɹˈeɪnstɔːm/
Definitions
01to generate ideas
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to work with other people to quickly think of many new ideas or solutions to a problem.
v. to participate in a creative process, typically in a group, to generate a large volume of ideas or solutions rapidly.
“The team met for an hour to brainstorm new names for the product.”
“The marketing department spent the afternoon brainstorming potential slogans, encouraging even the most unconventional suggestions to foster creative breakthroughs.”
Usage
Often used as an intransitive verb or with a direct object representing the topic.
Synonyms
02a group session
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a meeting where a group of people try to find new ideas by talking freely.
n. a collaborative session designed to produce ideas or solve problems through spontaneous group discussion.
“We had a quick brainstorm this morning to solve the scheduling conflict.”
“The initial brainstorm yielded several viable strategies, though the most promising required further technical validation before implementation.”
03a sudden idea
C1 · Advanced Countable noun American English · Informal
n. a sudden, clever idea that solves a problem.
n. a sudden, inspired insight or a moment of creative problem-solving.
“I had a sudden brainstorm in the shower and figured out how to fix the code.”
“Just as the project seemed destined for failure, the lead engineer had a brainstorm that simplified the entire mechanical assembly.”
Synonyms
04a mental error
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a sudden, temporary moment of confusion or a silly mistake.
n. a temporary lapse in concentration or a sudden, inexplicable mental error.
“I had a complete brainstorm and forgot my own phone number.”
“The goalkeeper suffered a momentary brainstorm, allowing the ball to roll past him into the net during the final minutes of the match.”
Teaching tip
In British English, this sense is common but can be confusing to learners who only know the creative 'idea generation' meaning.
Real-World Examples
“To identify them, look at your research question and brainstorm the main ideas.” Etymology
From brain + storm. In the sense of "problem-solve", devised as a method of group creative problem-solving by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn and his employees, who coined the term based on the image of using "the brain to storm a problem". First use appears c. 1945. In the sense of "seizure, convulsion, brain activity", from the unrelated idea that it resembles a storm in the brain. First use appears c. 1861.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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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