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brain

brain

393 3.4
A person who thinks of the main ideas for a plan
  • noun
  • /breɪn/
translation icon : cerebro
  • But her special advantage was a brain that could recognize a possibility and devise the means.
  • brain drain

I feel like I'm the brains of this show.

Examples

  • Many benefits to the brain have been directly linked to being physically active.

    Academic text (2007)
  • And he is the pioneer, the the brain behind.

  • Use that big brain of yours.

  • Having a worker who did not need to bring his brains to work was okay.

    Academic text (1996)
  • I feel like I'm the brains of this show.

  • Potter and I have wracked our brains to think of how we could have headed this off.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • She's the brain behind our innovative marketing strategy, coming up with ideas that really stand out.

  • After working with him on the project, it's clear he's the brain of the team, always suggesting creative solutions.

  • Many consider her to be the brain of the operation, driving the success of the entire organization with her ideas.

Synonyms

talent
vsbrain
326 2.8

A person who has a natural ability in one area

is about outstanding overall intelligence or ability, not single field
genius
vsbrain
252 4.9

A person with very strong intelligence or creative skill

is similar but also covers notable skill or practical talent
mastermind
vsbrain
77 6.1

A person who plans and leads a difficult, clever project

is broader and names exceptional intelligence rather than project leadership
intellect
vsbrain
39 6.0

A person who thinks clearly and deeply about ideas and problems

is the more general term for exceptional intelligence or talent
brainiac
vsbrain
  • Slang
31 8.2

A person who is very smart and good at solving hard problems

is broader, applying to high ability beyond just academic contexts
brainer
vsbrain
  • Informal
25 6.5

A person who is very clever

means exceptionally intelligent or talented, stronger than merely being clever
superbrain
vsbrain
7.0

A very smart person who solves difficult problems quickly

is used for either exceptional thinking or remarkable practical skill
Einstein
vsbrain
  • Informal
5.6

A very smart person who is especially good in one subject

is the general label for exceptional intelligence or notable skill

Antonyms

fool
  • Offensive
1.4

A person who makes poor decisions and is easily tricked

simpleton
  • Offensive
21 7.3

A person who is not very smart and trusts people easily

Idioms

13 5.8

Think very hard to remember something or solve a problem

to beat my brain
  • Informal
1 8.2

To think very hard to remember something or to solve a problem

1 4.2

Think carefully before you speak or act

To try to get rid of bad pictures or thoughts in your mind after something upsetting

to bend my brain
  • Informal
8.8

To think very hard about something until you feel confused

9.1

To think very hard to remember or solve a problem

To behave in a silly and immature way

A thought that keeps coming into your mind and is hard to forget

7.9

A state of always thinking about your job even when trying to relax

Compounds

brain damage
  • Specialized
75 3.7

Injury to the brain that causes long term problems with how it works

brain tumor
  • Specialized
60 3.4

An unusual growth of cells in the brain that can be harmful

brain cell
  • Specialized
46 2.8

A cell in the brain that sends and receives messages

brain wave
  • Specialized
35 4.0

A pattern of electrical activity in the brain seen on an EEG

brain surgery
  • Specialized
24 4.1

An operation on the brain to treat illness or injury

brain dead
  • Specialized
19 7.4

A person with no brain activity and no chance to get better, though the body may still work

16 2.9

A doctor who operates on the brain and nerves

brain stem
  • Specialized
15 4.1

The part of the brain near the spinal cord that controls breathing and heart rate

brain-damaged
  • Specialized
13 7.2

With a serious injury to the brain that makes it hard to think or move

brain trust
  • Literature
11 5.6

A group of expert advisors who help a leader, often unofficially in politics

right brain
  • Specialized
7 5.6

Part of the brain that controls the left side of the body and helps with creativity and understanding space

brain disease
  • Specialized
5 3.2

An illness that damages the brain and makes it work less well

5 4.4

Left half of the brain that controls the right body side and helps with language and thinking

brain disorder
  • Specialized
5 3.7

A health problem that harms the brain and how it works

5 4.2

The leaving of skilled or well educated people from a country to work abroad for better jobs

brain death
  • Specialized
4 5.8

A condition when all brain activity stops and cannot return, even if the heart still beats

blood-brain barrier
  • Specialized
3 5.1

A barrier of blood vessels and cells that stops harmful substances in the blood from entering the brain

3 6.5

A hard puzzle that needs careful thought to solve

brain fart
  • Slang
3 9.3

A short moment when you forget something or get confused

brain science
  • Specialized
2 3.7

Study of the brain and how it works

brain fever
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old name for a serious infection of the brain or its lining

brain bucket
  • Slang
1 9.0

A protective helmet worn when riding a bicycle or motorcycle

booger brain
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who acts silly, said as a playful insult

1 5.5

A clear liquid around the brain that protects it and helps it work

brain truster
  • Literature
1 8.6

A person who gives expert advice to political leaders without an official job

brain edema
  • Specialized
1 4.8

Swelling in the brain that happens when extra fluid builds up

brain-stem
  • Specialized
1 4.4

The part of the brain at the base that connects to the spinal cord and controls breathing and heart rate

limbic brain
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A group of brain parts that help control emotions, memory and behavior

6.0

Flow of the clear fluid in and around the brain

A poisonous mushroom with a wrinkled cap that looks like a brain

brain rot
  • Slang
7.7

A slow loss of clear thinking from little mental activity or too much screen time

brain sugar
  • Specialized
8.0

A simple sugar found in milk and body tissues that helps the brain grow

brain traffic
  • Informal
8.5

Busy, messy thoughts that make it hard to focus

brain-fag
  • NSFW
9.9

A feeling of mental tiredness that makes it hard to think

brain behavior
  • Specialized
5.6

The way brain activity links to a person's actions

brain candy
  • Informal
6.5

Fun TV shows or books that do not need much thought

A large hard sea animal with a wrinkled surface that looks like a brain

brain-worker
  • Archaic
7.2

A person who uses thinking to solve problems and create ideas in their job

bubble brain
  • Informal
9.5

A short time when someone cannot think clearly

The brain of a young cow that people eat

acute brain disorder
  • Specialized
7.3

A sudden short-term brain problem that makes a person confused and often follows illness, injury, or medicine use

Temporary state of confusion and disorientation caused by short-term brain damage from infection, injury or drugs

addle-brain
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who is confused and forgetful

feather-brain
  • Offensive
9.1

A person who often forgets things and acts silly

8.5

A silly idea that shows little thought

fish brain
  • Offensive
9.0

A person who often forgets things and is not careful

mathy brain
  • Informal
8.5

A mind that naturally likes and understands numbers and logic

8.1

A mild brain problem in children, often in boys, that causes problems with behaviour and learning

A condition in children that makes them restless and have trouble paying attention, now called ADHD

olfactory brain
  • Specialized
8.2

Part of the brain that helps you smell and connect smells with feelings

A brain problem caused by injury or disease that harms thinking and memory

second brain
  • Jargon
6.5

A system or tool that stores information to help you remember and organize things

split-brain technique
  • Specialized
9.7

A surgery that cuts the connection between the two halves of the brain

visceral brain
  • Specialized
8.8

Part of the brain that controls feelings like fear and pleasure

How Intelligent

genius
252 4.9
brain
393 3.4
intellectual
94 6.0
layperson
14 4.9
fool
  • Offensive
1.4

Surface Forms

brain singular
brains plural

Etymology

Calling someone the brain of a group is like saying they are the person who does the thinking and planning, so the word now means an especially intelligent or talented person.