brain
gb/bɹˈeɪn/ us/bɹˈeɪn/
A2
Anglais
~ 1800
Sens
0 sens
Nom
A2
entity
1
Organ controlling thought and body
The part of your body inside your head that helps you think and control what you do.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]'s brain
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'brain' with 'mind'; 'brain' is the physical organ, while 'mind' is the thinking part or mental processes.
Synonymes
mind (Refers more to mental processes than the physical organ.)
Antonymes
body (Refers to the physical form excluding the head's controlling organ.)
Collocations
human brain
|brain cells
|brain injury
|brain function
|brain activity
Thèmes
science
|health
|anatomy
|body
Exemples
- The human brain is incredibly complex.
- He suffered a brain injury in the accident.
- Your brain needs rest to function well.
- Scientists are studying how the brain processes language.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The brain helps us think.
- Her brain works very fast.
- He hurt his brain in the fall.
- My brain feels tired today.
Nom
B1
entity
2
Very intelligent person
A very smart person.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is a brain at [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may overuse 'brain' instead of 'smart person'; 'brain' in this sense is often used informally or in set phrases.
Synonymes
genius (Stronger and more formal; implies exceptional natural ability.)
Antonymes
fool (Someone lacking good sense or intelligence.)
Collocations
creative brain
|the brains behind
|a real brain
Thèmes
people
|intelligence
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She's the brains behind the new project.
- He's a real brain when it comes to computers.
- We need some fresh brains on this problem.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She is a brain in math.
- He is the brains of the team.
- My brother is a real brain.
Nom
informal
B1
entity
3
Mental ability to think well
How well someone can think and decide things.
Schéma d’usage :
to have the brains to [do something]
Erreur fréquente :
Some learners confuse plural 'brains' with singular 'brain'; plural is common in idioms about intelligence.
Synonymes
intelligence (More formal and general; not slangy.)
Antonymes
stupidity (Lack of intelligence or good judgment.)
Collocations
use your brain
|have brains
|no brains
Thèmes
intelligence
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Use your brain before you act.
- He has the brains to run this company.
- They don't have enough brains to solve it.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I use my brain to learn English.
- She has the brains to win.
- He does not use his brain.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
brain
API
GB/bɹˈeɪn/
US/bɹˈeɪn/
Syllabes et accentuation
brain (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (brain)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: brain
- Plural: brains
Famille de mots
Forms
brains
noun
Core family
brainy
adjective
brainstorm
verb B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
brainless
adjective
Advanced or less common
brainchild
noun
brainwashing
noun C1
Expressions
brainstorm
1/bɹˈeɪnstˌɔɹm/
fixed phrase
Suggest many ideas quickly for problem-solving or creativity
To quickly think of many ideas with others to solve a problem or make something new.
Exemples
- Let's brainstorm ideas for the party theme.
- They brainstormed solutions during the meeting.
pick someone's brain
1/pˈɪk sˈʌmwˌʌnz bɹˈeɪn/
idiom
informal
Ask someone for ideas or advice
To talk to someone to get ideas or information from them because they know more about something.
Exemples
- Can I pick your brain about this design?
- He picked her brain for tips on starting a business.
rack your brains
1/ɹˈæk jˈʊɹ bɹˈeɪnz/
idiom
informal
Think very hard about something difficult
To try very hard to remember or think of something.
Exemples
- I've been racking my brains all day trying to remember her name.
- She racked her brains for a solution to the problem.
scatterbrained
1/skˈætɚbɹˈeɪnd/
fixed phrase
informal
Disorganized and forgetful mind
Not able to remember things or organize ideas well.
Exemples
- She's so scatterbrained she forgot her own birthday.
- I'm feeling scatterbrained after working all night.
the brains behind
1/ðə bɹˈeɪnz bɪhˈaɪnd/
idiom
Person who plans and directs something
The person who plans and controls an important project or activity.
Exemples
- She was the brains behind the marketing campaign.
- He's the brains behind our new app.