brassy

adjective

ˈbra-sē 

brassier; brassiest

1

a

: shamelessly bold

a brassy reporter

b

: obstreperous

2

: resembling brass especially in color

3

: resembling the sound of a brass instrument

brassily

ˈbra-sə-lē 

adverb

brassiness

ˈbra-sē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• arch
• audacious
• bold
• bold-faced
• brash
• brassbound
• brazen
• brazen-faced
• cheeky
• cocksure
• cocky
• fresh
• impertinent
• impudent
• insolent
• nervy
• sassy
• saucy
• wise

Examples of brassy in a Sentence

a brassy customer insisted on arriving late and still being taken first

Recent Examples on the Web

Considering that purple is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, colorists apply this theory to hair to successfully balance out brassy tones. —Sarah Han, Allure, 2 Apr. 2025

Lambert's fantastically brassy response (co-penned by Kacey Musgraves, no less)? —James Mercadante, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025

The Icehouse performance of the songs layered those recordings from over 100 years ago with the singer’s brassy tenor voice and flowing piano playing. —Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025

Gaga’s brassy belt brings out one of the album’s most passionate vocals from Bennett, who even lets out a spontaneous laugh toward the end of the song. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for brassy

• assay
• bassi
• brassey
• cassie
• chassis
• classy
• gassy
• glassy
• grassy
• lassie
• massy
• sassy

Kids Definition

brassy

adjective

ˈbras-ē 

brassier; brassiest

1

a

: shamelessly bold

b

: unruly

2

: resembling brass especially in color

3

: resembling the sound of a brass instrument

brassily

ˈbras-ə-lē 

adverb

brassiness

ˈbras-ē-nəs 

noun