adjective

brash

/bræʃ/ · say it: brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy way

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) acting or speaking in a rude or impolite way without thinking about the consequences

2. (adjective) made of brass or having the color of brass

3. (adjective) loud and unpleasant in sound

Examples

1. His brash comments at the meeting offended many people.
2. The brash metal door gleamed in the sunlight.
3. The brash horn sound interrupted the quiet concert.

How to use brash

Brash primarily describes someone who acts boldly or rudely without considering the impact on others, suggesting a lack of respect or tact. It can also describe actions or statements made with aggressive confidence and little thought. The sense relating to brass or harsh sound is less common in modern usage but remains valid in technical or descriptive contexts.

Common phrases

brash decision
brash young man
brash behavior
brash confidence
brash tone

Synonyms

rude · impertinent · impudent · hasty · tactless

Opposites

polite · tactful · thoughtful

Word family

brashly (adverb) · brashness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use brash to mean merely confident or bold, but it carries a distinctly negative connotation implying rudeness or tactlessness rather than neutral assertiveness.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD