# brash

/ˈbɹæʃ/ (US) · /bɹˈæʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brash
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. bold and rude

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

behaving in a way that is too confident, loud, and often rude or annoying.

For teachers: overly self-assertive or bold in a manner that is tactless, impudent, or insensitive to others.

- The young manager was so brash that he offended several long-term clients.
- His brash approach to the negotiations alienated the senior partners, who were accustomed to a more subtle and diplomatic style of communication.

Teaching tip: This sense carries a strong negative connotation; it implies a lack of respect for social boundaries.

### 3. rock fragments

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

broken pieces of rock found just under the soil.

For teachers: broken and angular rock fragments underlying alluvial deposits or soil.

- The geologist examined the brash to determine the type of rock beneath the field.
- Excavation revealed a thick layer of limestone brash, which made the initial stages of the foundation work particularly difficult.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the material in general.

### 4. hedge debris

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

small twigs and leaves that fall under a hedge or tree.

For teachers: leaf litter consisting of small leaves and twigs, typically found beneath a hedge or in a forest.

- We spent the afternoon clearing the brash from the bottom of the garden.
- The forest floor was covered in a dense layer of brash, providing a habitat for various small insects and fungi.

Teaching tip: Common in British forestry and gardening contexts.

## Examples

- The brash surface of the granite made it difficult to polish.
- The geologist noted the brash texture of the rock, which suggested it had fractured under high pressure rather than eroding slowly.
- The brash nature of the exposed bedrock provided a stark contrast to the surrounding sedimentary layers, indicating a history of violent tectonic activity in the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.