B2 noun Neutral #31 most common

brownie

/ˈbraʊ.ni/

A brownie is a small, square or rectangular chocolate baked treat that has a texture between a cake and a soft cookie. It is known for its rich cocoa flavor and often contains additional ingredients like nuts, chocolate chips, or frosting.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I decided to bake a batch of homemade brownies for our weekend picnic.

I decided to bake a batch of homemade brownies for our weekend picnic.

2

The menu features a decadent dark chocolate brownie served with seasonal berry coulis.

The menu features a decadent dark chocolate brownie served with seasonal berry coulis.

3

You've got to try this brownie; it's so gooey and delicious!

You've got to try this brownie; it's so gooey and delicious!

Word Family

Noun
brownie
Adjective
brownie-like
Related
Brownies
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the color 'BROWN' plus the suffix '-IE' to mean a 'little brown thing' that is sweet and delicious.

Quick Quiz

He tried to earn some ______ points with his boss by staying late to finish the report.

Correct!

The correct answer is: brownie

Examples

1

I decided to bake a batch of homemade brownies for our weekend picnic.

everyday

I decided to bake a batch of homemade brownies for our weekend picnic.

2

The menu features a decadent dark chocolate brownie served with seasonal berry coulis.

formal

The menu features a decadent dark chocolate brownie served with seasonal berry coulis.

3

You've got to try this brownie; it's so gooey and delicious!

informal

You've got to try this brownie; it's so gooey and delicious!

4

The experiment compared the shelf-life stability of brownies made with different sugar substitutes.

academic

The experiment compared the shelf-life stability of brownies made with different sugar substitutes.

5

Our catering partner provides assorted dessert trays, including gluten-free brownie options for our meetings.

business

Our catering partner provides assorted dessert trays, including gluten-free brownie options for our meetings.

Word Family

Noun
brownie
Adjective
brownie-like
Related
Brownies

Common Collocations

fudge brownie fudge brownie
warm brownie warm brownie
brownie mix brownie mix
chocolate brownie chocolate brownie
chewy brownie chewy brownie

Common Phrases

brownie points

imaginary credit earned for doing good deeds

brownie sundae

a dessert with a brownie topped with ice cream

hash brownie

a brownie containing cannabis (slang/informal)

Often Confused With

brownie vs blondie

A blondie is a similar dessert bar but is made with brown sugar and vanilla instead of chocolate or cocoa.

brownie vs Brownie

Capitalized, it refers to a young member of the Girl Scouts or Girl Guides.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is almost always used in the context of food. When capitalized as 'Brownies,' it specifically refers to the junior branch of the Girl Scouts organization.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'brownie' to describe any chocolate cake, but a brownie is specifically dense and usually square, unlike a fluffy sponge cake.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the color 'BROWN' plus the suffix '-IE' to mean a 'little brown thing' that is sweet and delicious.

📖

Word Origin

Originates from the color 'brown', first appearing in American cookbooks in the late 19th century.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural form: brownies Often used as a compound noun (e.g., brownie recipe)
🌍

Cultural Context

In American culture, brownies are a staple comfort food often sold at school 'bake sales' to raise money.

Quick Quiz

He tried to earn some ______ points with his boss by staying late to finish the report.

Correct!

The correct answer is: brownie

Related Words

you

A1

Used 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.

people

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.

mean

A1

To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.

keep

A1

To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.

begin

A1

To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.

seem

A1

To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.

help

A1

To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.

talk

A1

To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.

start

A1

To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.

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