brim

¹brim

noun \ˈbrim\

Definition of BRIM

1

a (1) : an upper or outer margin : verge (2) archaic : the upper surface of a body of water

b : the edge or rim of a hollow vessel, a natural depression, or a cavity

2

: the projecting rim of a hat

— brim·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of BRIM

1. <the brim of the teacup was banded with gold>
2. <touched the brim of his cap by way of salute>

Origin of BRIM

Middle English brimme; akin to Middle High German brem edge

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to BRIM

Synonyms

borderline, bound, boundary, border, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge

Related Words

ambit; brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip; ceiling, maximum; demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination; borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage; lap; shore

Near Antonyms

center, core, heart; inner, inside, interior, middle, within

Rhymes with BRIM

bream, dim, glim, grim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limb, limn, mim, nim, prim, rim, scrim, shim, skim, slim, swim, Tim, trim, vim, whim

²brim

verb

brimmed brim·ming

Definition of BRIM

transitive verb

: to fill to the brim

intransitive verb

1

: to be or become full often to overflowing <eyes brimming with tears>

2

: to reach or overflow a brim

Examples of BRIM

1. Her heart was brimming with happiness.
2. The show brims with excitement.

First Known Use of BRIM

1598

Related to BRIM

Synonyms

abound, bristle, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem

Antonyms

clear, empty, evacuate, vacate, void

Related Words

drench, flood, glut, swamp; bloat, bulk; crowd, crush, mat, press, ram, shove, squash, squeeze; refill, refresh, reload, repack, replenish; overcharge, overfill, overflow, saturate; honeycomb, penetrate

Near Antonyms

lack, need, want