brash

UK: /ˈbræʃ/ US: /bræʃ/ ,(brash)

Inflections of 'brash' (adj):

brasher

adj comparative

brashest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

brash /bræʃ/   adj., -er, -est. 

1. impolite or rude;
   tactless:
   a brash young man.
2. hastily or rashly undertaken:
   a brash decision.
3. energetic or spirited, esp. in an irreverent way:
   a brash new musical.

brash•ly, adv. 
brash•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

brash  (brash), adj., -er, -est, n. 
adj. Also, brashy. 

1. impertinent;
   impudent;
   tactless:
   a brash young man.
2. hasty;
   rash;
   impetuous.
3. energetic or highly spirited, esp. in an irreverent way;
   zesty:
   a brash new musical.
4. (used esp. of wood) brittle.

n. 

5. a pile or stack of loose fragments or debris, as of rocks or hedge clippings.
6. Oceanography See brash ice. 
7. Pathology heartburn (def. 1).
8. Scottish Terms
   • a sudden shower or burst of rain.
   • any sudden, minor sickness or indisposition, esp. of the digestive tract.
   • an assault;
     attack.

• 1400–50; (noun, nominal) late Middle English brass(c)he a slap, crash, perh. blend of, blended brok(e) (Old English broc breach, fragment, sickness; akin to break) and dasch smashing blow; see dash¹; (adjective, adjectival) in sense "brittle,'' derivative of noun, nominal; in sense "hasty'' by confusion with rash¹

brash′ly, adv. 
brash′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. reckless, overhasty, imprudent, foolhardy, precipitate.

Antonyms

• 2. cautious, wary, prudent, careful.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

brash / bræʃ/ adjective

1. tastelessly or offensively loud, showy, or bold
2. hasty; rash
3. impudent

Etymology: 19th Century: perhaps influenced by rash¹

ˈbrashly adverb

ˈbrashness noun

brash / bræʃ/ noun

1. loose rubbish, such as broken rock, hedge clippings, etc; debris

Etymology: 18th Century: of unknown origin

brash / bræʃ/ noun

1. another name for heartburn

Etymology: 16th Century: perhaps of imitative origin