brim

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/brɪm/
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The edge of a container or hat, and as a verb, the state of being full or almost overflowing.

Examples

  • He touched the brim of his cap in greeting.
  • She wiped sugar from the brim of the cup.
  • The bucket was full to the brim with rainwater.
  • Her eyes brimmed with tears.
  • She lowered the brim to hide her face.

Similar words

swell
lip
teem
peak
border
abound
margin
visor
bill
rim

Meanings

Top edge of a container

noun
everyday
neutral
The top edge or rim of a cup, bowl, glass, or other container.

Examples

  • He filled the glass to the brim.
  • Coffee spilled over the brim of the mug.
  • A thin line of gold decorated the brim of the bowl.
  • Do not pour past the brim.
  • The bucket was full to the brim with rainwater.
  • She wiped sugar from the brim of the cup.

Similar words

Projecting edge of a hat

noun
everyday
neutral
The part of a hat or cap that sticks out from the lower edge, often shading the face.

Examples

  • The wide brim kept the sun out of her eyes.
  • He touched the brim of his cap in greeting.
  • Rain dripped from the brim of the hat.
  • A narrow brim gives the hat a sharper shape.
  • She lowered the brim to hide her face.
  • The straw hat had a soft, floppy brim.

Similar words

Be full or nearly overflowing

verb
everyday
neutral
To be completely full, or to seem full of a liquid, emotion, energy, or activity.

Examples

  • Her eyes brimmed with tears.
  • The bowl was brimming with berries.
  • The festival brims with color and music.
  • His voice brimmed with pride.
  • The market was brimming with fresh produce.
  • The children brimmed with excitement before the trip.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English brimme, meaning an edge or margin. It is related to Middle High German brem, also meaning edge. The verb developed later from the noun, first meaning to fill up to the brim.

FAQ

What does brim mean?

Brim means the top edge of a container, the projecting edge of a hat, or as a verb, to be full or almost overflowing.

What does full to the brim mean?

Full to the brim means filled all the way to the top edge, with no extra space left.

What is the brim of a hat?

It is the part that sticks out from the lower edge of a hat or cap, often to shade the face.

What preposition follows brimming?

The usual preposition is with, as in brimming with tears or brimming with confidence.

Is brim a noun or a verb?

It can be both. As a noun, it means an edge. As a verb, it means to be full or almost overflowing.

What are the forms of brim?

The main forms are brim, brims, brimmed, and brimming.

What are synonyms of brim?

For the noun, useful synonyms include rim, edge, and lip. For the verb, overflow, teem, and abound may fit.

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