brat

1 of 2

noun (1)

1
a
disparaging : child
specifically : an ill-mannered annoying child
a spoiled brat
b
: an ill-mannered immature person
2
: the child of a career military person
army brats
also : the child of a person whose career is in a specified and typically unusual field
Hollywood brats
brattiness noun
brattish adjective
bratty adjective

Examples of brat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The trend became so ubiquitous that the Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Kamala Harris was declared brat by Charli herself. Marina Watts, People.com, 21 May 2025 The proud son of Filipino immigrants turns amateur foodies into grilling experts, cooking the likes of lobster, short ribs, beer brats and noodle dishes. Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 9 May 2025 After seven years inside the stadium, their brats are now in almost every concession, Melodie said. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025 Their little brat just took away their independence, just like when that kid was born. Brad Weisenstein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brat

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps from English dialect brat coarse garment

Noun (2)

by shortening

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1505, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brat was circa 1505

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brat. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

brat

noun
: child sense 2a
especially : an ill-mannered annoying child
brattish adjective
bratty adjective

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