# brass

/ˈbɹæs/ (US) · /bɹˈɑːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brass
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the metal alloy

noun · CEFR B2

a bright yellow metal made by mixing copper and zinc.

For teachers: a metallic alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc. Uncountable in its material sense.

- The door had a heavy brass handle that shone in the sunlight.
- The interior designer specified solid brass fixtures to provide a warm, traditional contrast against the modern marble surfaces.

### 2. musical instruments

noun · CEFR B2

musical instruments made of metal that you blow into, like trumpets and trombones.

For teachers: a family of wind instruments, typically made of metal, played by vibrating the lips against a mouthpiece. Often used as a collective noun for a section of an orchestra.

- The brass started playing a loud fanfare at the beginning of the parade.
- The composer wrote a demanding part for the brass, requiring the trumpets to sustain high notes over the rest of the ensemble.

### 3. high-ranking people

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the people in the highest positions of an organization, especially the military or a big company.

For teachers: high-ranking officers or senior executives within a hierarchy. Informal in register; often used collectively as 'the top brass'.

- The top brass decided to close the factory despite the workers' protests.
- After the failed operation, the military brass faced intense questioning from the parliamentary committee regarding their strategic oversight.

### 4. boldness or rudeness

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

a very confident attitude that might seem rude to others.

For teachers: impudence, effrontery, or excessive self-assurance. Uncountable; often used in the phrase 'have the brass to'.

- I can't believe he had the brass to ask for a raise after being late every day.
- She had the sheer brass to walk into the private event without an invitation and act as if she owned the venue.

### 5. money

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English · Informal

a slang word for money used in some parts of England.

For teachers: a slang term for money. Primarily associated with Northern English dialects; increasingly dated in modern usage.

- He made a lot of brass selling old furniture at the market.
- In the old industrial towns, the local saying was 'where there's muck, there's brass', meaning where there is dirt, there is money to be made.

### 6. made of brass

adjective · CEFR B2

made of the metal brass, or having its yellow color.

For teachers: composed of or pertaining to the alloy brass; exhibiting the characteristic yellow-gold color of the metal.

- She wore a brass ring that she bought at a craft fair.
- The antique clock featured intricate brass gears that were still visible through the glass casing.

### 7. to coat with metal

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cover something with a thin layer of brass.

For teachers: to coat or plate a surface with brass. Transitive; usually refers to industrial or decorative finishing processes.

- The manufacturer decided to brass the steel fittings to make them look more expensive.
- The workshop was equipped to brass various hardware components, providing a corrosion-resistant finish that mimicked solid metal.

## Examples

- The top brass decided to close the branch.
- After the merger was announced, the brass from both companies met to discuss the new management structure.
- While the soldiers on the ground were ready for the mission, the brass at headquarters remained hesitant to authorize the final deployment until the political situation stabilized.

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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.