Word
brainy
US/ˈbɹeɪni/
UK/bɹˈeɪni/
Definition
adj. very smart and quick to learn new things, especially school work. You use it for people who always seem to know the answers.
adj. having high intelligence and a strong ability to learn quickly. Typically used to describe people who excel at academic or analytical tasks.
Examples
“My brainy sister helps me with math homework.”
“Our new classmate is really brainy and always finishes the science quiz first.”
“Despite her brainy reputation at university, she explains difficult ideas in simple words everyone understands.”
Examples
simple
“My brainy sister helps me with math homework.”
contextual
“Our new classmate is really brainy and always finishes the science quiz first.”
complex
“Despite her brainy reputation at university, she explains difficult ideas in simple words everyone understands.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “brainy” in context.
Verb
01. call brainy
“Everyone at school calls Mia brainy because she gets top marks.”
verb + adj
02. consider brainy
“Teachers consider him brainy because he learns so fast.”
verb + adj
03. look brainy
“He looks brainy with those big glasses and books.”
verb + adj
Noun
04. brainy child
“As a brainy child, he learned to read at age four.”
adj + noun
05. brainy classmate
“My brainy classmate explains difficult lessons to me.”
adj + noun
06. brainy friend
“I have a brainy friend who knows everything about animals.”
adj + noun
07. brainy kid
“Leo is the brainy kid who helps us with homework.”
adj + noun
08. brainy student
“She is a brainy student who loves reading and maths.”
adj + noun
09. a really brainy kid
“He is a really brainy kid who always gets full marks.”
10. known as the brainy one
“Jake is known as the brainy one in our school.”
11. look brainy in glasses
“He looks brainy in glasses, but he just likes reading.”
12. one of the brainy kids
“Mia is one of the brainy kids in Year 6.”
Real-World Examples
“It's only a matter of time before news stories about GCSE results have pictures of brainy, jumping triplets celebrating a string of top grades with the headline \"On cloud nine.\” “She's brainy, witty and - I'm reliably informed - can change a tyre in under five minutes.” Etymology
From Middle English brayny; equivalent to brain + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/brainy