# brute

/ˈbɹut/ (US) · /bɹˈuːt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a cruel person

noun · CEFR B2

a person who is very cruel, violent, or lacks feelings for others.

For teachers: a person who is insensitive, cruel, or behaves in a coarse and brutal manner.

- The dictator was a brute who treated his own people with terrible cruelty.
- The antagonist is portrayed as a mindless brute, capable only of destruction and devoid of any redeeming moral qualities.

### 2. an animal

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

an animal, especially a large or wild one that does not have human reason.

For teachers: a non-human animal, particularly one regarded as lacking reason or higher intelligence.

- The poor brute was left out in the cold rain all night.
- In the fable, the lion is described as a noble brute, powerful yet bound by the laws of the wilderness.

### 3. film lighting

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a very large and powerful light used on film sets.

For teachers: a high-intensity carbon arc lamp or similar powerful spotlight used in motion picture production.

- The crew set up a brute to mimic the harsh sunlight coming through the window.
- The director of photography requested an additional brute to illuminate the large outdoor arena for the night shoot.

### 4. physical and unthinking

adjective · CEFR B2

describing physical strength or facts that are used without thinking or planning.

For teachers: relating to physical force or basic facts applied without the use of reason or intellect.

- They used brute force to break down the heavy wooden door.
- The problem was eventually solved through brute force computation rather than an elegant mathematical proof.

Usage: Commonly used in the fixed expression 'brute force'.

### 5. shaping diamonds

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to shape a diamond by rubbing it against another diamond.

For teachers: to shape a diamond by the process of grinding it against another diamond.

- The cutter had to brute the stone carefully to achieve the desired round shape.
- Before the final polishing stage, the technician must brute the rough diamond to establish its basic proportions.

## Examples

- The giant was a huge, scary brute.
- He solved the problem with brute force rather than careful planning.
- The novel contrasts the refined scholar with the uneducated brute, highlighting the tension between intellect and raw power in Victorian society.

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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.