brim
The upper edge or lip of a cup, bowl, or similar container. It can also refer to the projecting bottom edge of a hat or, metaphorically, the point at which something is completely full.
Examples
3 of 5He filled the mug to the brim with hot chocolate, making it difficult to carry without spilling.
He filled the mug to the very top edge with hot chocolate.
The reservoir's water level has finally reached the brim after a week of heavy rainfall.
The water in the reservoir reached its maximum upper edge.
I'm already full to the brim, so I don't think I can eat another bite of dessert.
I am completely full and cannot consume any more food.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'B' in Brim as representing the 'Boundary' of a bowl or beverage.
Quick Quiz
The waiter was so nervous that he filled the wine glass to the _____, making it splash when he set it down.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brim
Examples
He filled the mug to the brim with hot chocolate, making it difficult to carry without spilling.
everydayHe filled the mug to the very top edge with hot chocolate.
The reservoir's water level has finally reached the brim after a week of heavy rainfall.
formalThe water in the reservoir reached its maximum upper edge.
I'm already full to the brim, so I don't think I can eat another bite of dessert.
informalI am completely full and cannot consume any more food.
The researchers noted that the specimen jar was filled to the brim with a preservative solution.
academicThe jar used in the study was filled to its upper capacity.
Our current inventory is at the brim; we cannot accept any more shipments until next month.
businessThe storage capacity is at its absolute limit.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
full to the brim
completely full, often used regarding food or liquid
brimming with confidence
showing a very high level of self-assurance
eyes brimmed with tears
tears reaching the edge of the eyes, about to fall
Often Confused With
Rim is a general term for the edge of any circular object, while brim specifically refers to the top of a container or the edge of a hat.
Usage Notes
The word 'brim' is most frequently encountered in the idiomatic expression 'filled to the brim.' When used for hats, it refers to the part that shades the face.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'rim' when referring to a hat, but 'brim' is the correct specific term for the part of a hat that sticks out.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'B' in Brim as representing the 'Boundary' of a bowl or beverage.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle English 'brymme', which originally referred to the edge of the sea or the bank of a river.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western fashion, wide-brimmed hats like the Fedora or Cowboy hat are significant cultural symbols of status or specific occupations.
Quick Quiz
The waiter was so nervous that he filled the wine glass to the _____, making it splash when he set it down.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brim
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.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free