Brains
/breɪnz/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe organ inside the head that controls thought, feeling, and movement.
/breɪnz/
The organ of thought and intelligence.
He used his brains to solve the puzzle.
💡 Simply: The part of your head that helps you think.
More Examples
The accident damaged part of her brains.
How It's Used
"The surgeon carefully examined the patient's brains."
"She's got brains; she's really smart."
The ability to think cleverly and effectively.
/breɪnz/
Intelligence or mental ability.
She's got the brains to succeed.
💡 Simply: Smartness or cleverness.
More Examples
The project required a lot of brains.
How It's Used
"It takes brains to run a successful business."
Idioms & expressions
pick someone's brains
To ask someone for their knowledge or advice.
"I'm going to pick your brains about the new software."
From Old English *brægen, plural of *brægen 'brain'. The modern meaning developed from the original sense of the organ itself to encompass intelligence and intellect.
Historically, 'brains' has always referred to the physical organ, but the metaphorical use of brains to mean intelligence has become increasingly common over time.
Memory tip
Think of the 'brain' as the command center of your body.
Word Origin
"brain"