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

Best purple shampoo Ideal for blonde and silver hair, this purple shampoo neutralizes brassy tones to maintain a more balanced color. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

The nightclub owner was in fact in love with a brassy performer who was the star of his show. —Marla Jo Fisher, Daily News, 4 May 2026

For any Kentucky Derby spectator at Churchill Downs or at home, the brassy Call to the Post is instantly recognizable—a goosebump-inducing trill that the race is about to begin. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026

Here opposites — classy and brassy — are distractions, with odd-couple joking substituting for something more substantial. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 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