Brim — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbrim/

Meaning & Definition of Brim

Brim (noun)

  1. an upper or outer margin, verge
  2. the upper surface of a body of water
  3. the edge or rim of a hollow vessel, a natural depression, or a cavity

Brim (verb)

  1. to fill to the brim
  2. to be or become full often to overflowing
  3. to reach or overflow a brim

Brim (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something

    "the brim of the teacup was banded with gold"

    similar: border, borderline, bound, boundary, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge
    related: ambit, brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip, ceiling, maximum, demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination, borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage, lap, shore
    near: center, core, heart, inner, inside, interior, middle, within

  2. the projecting front part of a hat or cap

    "touched the brim of his cap by way of salute"

    similar: bill, peak, visor
    related: shade

Brim (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be copiously supplied

    "a secondhand bookstore that was brimming with bargains"

    similar: abound, bristle, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem
    near: lack, need, want

  2. to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained

    "he brimmed the glass with milk, and now I'm sure to spill it"

    similar: charge, cram, fill, heap, jam, jam-pack, load, pack, stuff
    related: drench, flood, glut, swamp, bloat, bulk, crowd, crush, mat, press, ram, shove, squash, squeeze, refill, refresh, reload, repack, replenish, overcharge, overfill, overflow, saturate, honeycomb, penetrate
    opposite: clear, empty, evacuate, vacate, void
    near: lighten, deplete, drain, eliminate, exhaust, bleed, draw (off), clean, flush, purge, scour, sweep

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Brim

The most common words with a similar meaning to Brim:

border, borderline, bound, boundary, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge, bill, peak, visor, abound, bristle, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem, charge, cram, fill, heap, jam

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Brim

Words with the opposite meaning of Brim:

clear, empty, evacuate, vacate, void

Related Words for Brim

ambit, brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip, ceiling, maximum, demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination, borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage, lap, shore, shade, drench, flood, glut, swamp, bloat, bulk

Near Antonyms of Brim

center, core, heart, inner, inside, interior, middle, within, lack, need, want, lighten, deplete, drain, eliminate, exhaust, bleed, draw (off), clean, flush, purge, scour, sweep

Word Forms of Brim

Inflections: brimmed, brimming

Derived words: brimless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Brim

Middle English brimme; akin to Middle High German brem edge

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Brim

brim with tears, snap-brim, filled/full to the brim, to the brim

Frequently Asked Questions about Brim

What does "Brim" mean?

"Brim" means an upper or outer margin, verge. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an upper or outer margin, verge. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Brim"?

Other words for "Brim" include border, borderline, bound, boundary, circumference, compass, confines and edge. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Brim" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Brim"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Brim". Common alternatives include border, borderline, bound, boundary, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging and end.

What is the opposite of "Brim"?

Antonyms of "Brim" include clear, empty, evacuate, vacate and void. Near antonyms include center, core, heart and inner.

How do you use "Brim" in a sentence?

Examples of "Brim" in a sentence: "the brim of the teacup was banded with gold"; "touched the brim of his cap by way of salute"; "a secondhand bookstore that was brimming with bargains".

Is "Brim" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Brim" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Brim"?

"Brim" is pronounced /ˈbrim/.

What is the origin of the word "Brim"?

"Brim" comes from Middle English brimme; akin to Middle High German brem edge. First known use: 13th century.