Word
brawn
US/ˈbɹɔn/
UK/bɹˈɔːn/
Definitions
01physical strength
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. physical strength and large muscles, especially when compared to intelligence.
n. physical strength and muscularity, often used in the idiomatic contrast 'brawn versus brains'.
“The job required more brawn than brains, as I spent all day lifting heavy boxes.”
“While he possessed the brawn necessary for manual labour, he lacked the strategic insight required for a management position.”
02meat product
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Cooking British English · Technical
n. a cold meat dish made from the head of a pig or calf, served in jelly.
n. a terrine or meat jelly made from the flesh of the head of a pig or calf.
“My grandfather always served sliced brawn with mustard during Sunday lunch.”
“The traditional butcher's shop was famous for its homemade brawn, prepared according to a century-old regional recipe.”
Synonyms
03a boar
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Dialect · Archaic
n. an old word for a male pig or boar.
n. a male pig or boar; this usage is restricted to specific regional dialects or historical contexts.
“The old farmer referred to the large male pig as a brawn.”
“In the local dialect of the valley, a mature boar was still occasionally called a brawn by the elder residents.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Even controversial comic and manosphere podcaster Andrew Schulz gives a convincing performance worthy of an essay, playing Ken’s manager, who capitalizes on his bro’s brawn while coddling his wounded ego.” “But again, that's no substitute for the brawn and water brought by troops on the ground.” “The landscapes up here were all muscle and brawn: dry escarpments and deep, hefty canyons.” Etymology
From Middle English brawne, from Old French braon (“slice of meat, fleshy part, buttock”), from Frankish brādon, brādan, accusative form of brādō (“roasted meat, ham”), from Proto-Germanic brēdô (“meat, roast”), of uncertain further origin, but possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreh₁- (“to burn, heat”). Akin to Old High German brāto (“tender meat”) (German Braten (“roast”)), Old English brǣde, brǣd (“flesh, meat”), Old Norse bráð (“raw meat”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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