brass
Describes items made from a bright yellow alloy of copper and zinc, or relating to the section of an orchestra composed of wind instruments made of this metal. It can also figuratively describe something bold, flashy, or sounding like a brass instrument.
Examples
3 of 5We decided to install brass handles on all the kitchen cabinets to give them a vintage look.
We chose to put yellow-metal handles on the cupboards for a classic style.
The historical archive contains several brass rubbings taken from medieval tombs.
The archive holds paper impressions made from metal plates found on old graves.
He had the brass nerve to ask for a promotion after being late every day this week.
He was bold and impudent enough to ask for a better job despite his poor attendance.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Bright' and 'Bold' trumpet player. 'Brass' starts with 'B' like Bright and Bold.
Quick Quiz
The orchestra's _____ section was particularly loud during the finale of the symphony.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brass
Examples
We decided to install brass handles on all the kitchen cabinets to give them a vintage look.
everydayWe chose to put yellow-metal handles on the cupboards for a classic style.
The historical archive contains several brass rubbings taken from medieval tombs.
formalThe archive holds paper impressions made from metal plates found on old graves.
He had the brass nerve to ask for a promotion after being late every day this week.
informalHe was bold and impudent enough to ask for a better job despite his poor attendance.
The acoustic properties of brass resonators were measured under varying thermal conditions.
academicThe sound qualities of metal vibration chambers were tested in different temperatures.
The company hired a brass quintet to provide entertainment for the corporate anniversary.
businessThe firm employed five musicians playing metal wind instruments for the celebration.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
get down to brass tacks
to start considering the basic facts or practical details
the top brass
the people in the highest positions of authority
brass neck
a person who is very confident in a way that is rude or disrespectful
Often Confused With
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc (yellow), while bronze is copper and tin (brownish-red).
Usage Notes
When used as an adjective, 'brass' usually describes the material an object is made of. The related adjective 'brassy' is often used pejoratively to describe a sound that is too loud or a person who is too bold/vulgar.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'brass' to refer to any gold-colored metal, but it specifically refers to the copper-zinc alloy. In music, ensure you distinguish between 'brass' and 'woodwind' instruments.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Bright' and 'Bold' trumpet player. 'Brass' starts with 'B' like Bright and Bold.
Word Origin
From Old English 'bras', which originally referred to any yellow alloy of copper.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the UK and parts of the US, 'brass bands' are a significant part of working-class musical heritage, particularly in mining communities.
Quick Quiz
The orchestra's _____ section was particularly loud during the finale of the symphony.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brass
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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