brass Definition
- 1a yellow alloy of copper and zinc, sometimes including small amounts of other metals
- 2a memorial tablet or inscribed plaque made of brass
- 3bold self-assurance; impudence
Using brass: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "brass" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The doorknob was made of brass.
Example
The band played a brass instrument.
Example
The brass plate on the door read 'Dr. Smith'.
Example
He had the brass to ask for a raise after only one month on the job.
brass Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for brass
- bronze
- copper-zinc alloy
- memorial tablet
- inscribed plaque
Phrases with brass
Example
Let's get down to brass tacks and figure out how much this project is going to cost.
Example
It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.
Example
Winning the championship was the brass ring for the team.
Origins of brass
from Old English 'bræs', meaning 'brass, bronze'
Summary: brass in Brief
The term 'brass' [bras] refers to a yellow alloy of copper and zinc, as well as a memorial tablet or inscribed plaque made of brass. It can also mean bold self-assurance or impudence, as in 'He had the brass to ask for a raise after only one month on the job.' 'Brass' extends into phrases like 'brass tacks,' denoting the essentials of a situation, and 'brass ring,' meaning a highly desirable opportunity or prize.
