brawn
Brawn refers to physical strength and muscular power, especially when contrasted with intelligence or mental ability. It describes the capacity for heavy physical labor and force rather than intellectual or strategic skill.
Examples
3 of 5Moving the heavy sofa required sheer brawn rather than any particular skill.
Moving the heavy couch needed pure physical strength instead of special technique.
The project's success depended on the perfect combination of intellectual insight and physical brawn.
The success of the project relied on both smart ideas and physical power.
You've got the brawn, so you can carry the beer crates while I look for the keys.
You are the strong one, so you carry the heavy boxes while I find the keys.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Brown Bear'. A brown bear has incredible brawn.
Quick Quiz
The construction worker relied on his ______ to lift the heavy steel beams.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brawn
Examples
Moving the heavy sofa required sheer brawn rather than any particular skill.
everydayMoving the heavy couch needed pure physical strength instead of special technique.
The project's success depended on the perfect combination of intellectual insight and physical brawn.
formalThe success of the project relied on both smart ideas and physical power.
You've got the brawn, so you can carry the beer crates while I look for the keys.
informalYou are the strong one, so you carry the heavy boxes while I find the keys.
In the pre-industrial era, the economy relied heavily on human brawn to sustain agricultural production.
academicBefore machines, the economy depended mostly on human physical labor for farming.
The management realized that brawn alone would not win the contract; they needed a smarter strategy.
businessThe bosses realized that physical effort by itself wouldn't get the deal; they needed a better plan.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
brain over brawn
the idea that intelligence is more effective than physical force
all brawn and no brains
someone who is very strong but lacks intelligence
a test of brawn
a challenge that measures physical strength
Often Confused With
Bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of a grain, whereas brawn is physical strength.
Brawn is the noun for strength, while brawny is the adjective used to describe a strong person.
Usage Notes
Brawn is almost always used in a comparison with intelligence. It can sometimes be used slightly insultingly to imply that a person is only useful for their physical strength.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to use brawn as an adjective; remember that 'brawn' is the power you have, and 'brawny' is the person who has it.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Brown Bear'. A brown bear has incredible brawn.
Word Origin
From the Old French 'braon', meaning 'fleshy part' or 'muscle'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western storytelling, characters are often divided into 'The Brains' and 'The Brawn' of a group, reflecting a cultural archetype of specialized roles.
Quick Quiz
The construction worker relied on his ______ to lift the heavy steel beams.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brawn
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
pale
A1Describes something that has very little color or is much lighter than usual. It is often used to describe a person's face when they are ill or a color that is mixed with a lot of white.
lung
A1The lungs are two organs inside your chest that you use to breathe. They bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide when you breathe out.
tropical
A1Relating to the hot regions of the Earth near the equator. It describes weather that is very warm and wet, or plants and animals that come from these areas.
trader
A1A trader is a person whose job is to buy and sell goods, stocks, or other items for profit. They can work in a small local market or on large international financial exchanges.
indoor
A1Describes something that is located, happens, or is used inside a building rather than outside. It is an adjective used before a noun to talk about activities or objects protected from the weather.
threshold
A1A threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter a room or building. It also refers to the level or point at which something starts to happen or changes.
tribute
A1A tribute is something that you say, do, or give to show your respect and admiration for someone. It is often a public act used to honor a person's life, work, or memory.
elder
A1Used to describe a person who is older than another, especially within a family. It is also used to refer to people who have a high status or more experience because of their age.
russian
A1Relating to Russia, its people, its language, or its culture. It describes things that come from or are connected to the largest country in the world.
southeastern
A1Located in or coming from the direction between south and east. It describes a place, a region, or a wind that is in the corner between the bottom and the right on a map.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free