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 of brassy

• bold
• wise
• sassy
• brazen
• fresh
• saucy
• cocky
• brash
• blunt
• impudent
• cheeky
• insolent
• assertive
• defiant
• audacious
• cocksure
• nervy

Examples of brassy in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

As Judy goes barreling down the street, people stare, drivers yell, and the brassy Brooklynite throws up a finger. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Closer to home, San Francisco’s brassy Stinkfoot Orchestra was launched in 2021. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

His theater group the Mechanicals is preparing a stage adaptation of a 1974 French-Canadian film called Once Upon a Time in the East, in which Jimmy will play a brassy singer named Carmen — a clear indication that commercial success is not one of its top priorities. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 May 2026

Pick Three Naomi Fry on great entertainment from brassy broads. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 15 May 2026

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