brass
1 of 2noun
ˈbras 
1
: an alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc in variable proportions
2
a
: the brass instruments of an orchestra or band —often used in plural
b
: a usually brass memorial tablet
c
: bright metal fittings, utensils, or ornaments
d
: empty cartridge shells
3
: brazen self-assurance : gall
4
singular or plural in construction
a
: high-ranking members of the military
b
: persons in high positions (as in a business or the government)
brass
2 of 2adjective
1
: made of brass
a brass cannon
see also brass ring, brass tacks 2
: made up of or composed for brass musical instruments
the band's brass section
see also brass band 
Synonyms
Noun
- audaciousness
- audacity
- brashness
- brassiness
- brazenness
- cheek
- cheekiness
- chutzpah
- chutzpa
- hutzpah
- hutzpa
- crust
- effrontery
- face
- gall
- nerve
- nerviness
- pertness
- presumption
- presumptuousness
- sauce
- sauciness
- temerity
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a candlestick made of brass The whole orchestra—the strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass—began to play. The brasses began to play. polishing the brass and the silver
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Galbraith, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2022 But even in a small sample size Friday night, Lance showed why 49ers brass has been so bullish about him leading up to the 2022 regular season. Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 The collection that has been marked for the request includes 12 Benin bronzes, which are mostly made of brass, according to the British Museum. Kyla Guilfoil, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2022 Academy brass have been in heated discussions for much of the day. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2022 Students ages 5-18 can learn to play piano, guitar, brass and woodwind instruments. Roxanne De La Rosa, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2022 But opinions from Celtics brass and Udoka may vary on the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, whose reputation is not pristine. LaMarcus Aldridge. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 But this rustic Jean Paul Gaultier choker necklace featuring the French designer's initials never deserves to be called simple, as this brass and leather necklace has so much going on. Seventeen, 24 Aug. 2022 After a year dominated by decisive greens, the enchanting not-so-blue hue, pairs beautifully with brass and gold accents for a surprisingly calming touch. House Beautiful, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
The masterful composer managed to match director George Lucas' vision with an opening theme that fit the bill, announcing the sea change with a blast of brass that no doubt caused first-time viewers to jump in their seats. Alex Galbraith, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2022 But even in a small sample size Friday night, Lance showed why 49ers brass has been so bullish about him leading up to the 2022 regular season. Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 The collection that has been marked for the request includes 12 Benin bronzes, which are mostly made of brass, according to the British Museum. Kyla Guilfoil, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2022 Academy brass have been in heated discussions for much of the day. Tatiana Siegel, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2022 Students ages 5-18 can learn to play piano, guitar, brass and woodwind instruments. Roxanne De La Rosa, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2022 But opinions from Celtics brass and Udoka may vary on the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, whose reputation is not pristine. LaMarcus Aldridge. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 But this rustic Jean Paul Gaultier choker necklace featuring the French designer's initials never deserves to be called simple, as this brass and leather necklace has so much going on. Seventeen, 24 Aug. 2022 After a year dominated by decisive greens, the enchanting not-so-blue hue, pairs beautifully with brass and gold accents for a surprisingly calming touch. House Beautiful, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English bras, from Old English bræs; akin to Middle Low German bras metal
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing brass
Kids Definition
brass
noun
ˈbras
1
: an alloy made by combining copper and zinc
2
: the musical instruments of an orchestra or band that are usually made of brass and include the cornets, trumpets, trombones, French horns, and tubas
brass
noun
as in nerve
shameless boldness had the brass to demand a refund for something they had broken themselves! Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- nerve
- gall
- arrogance
- crust
- sauce
- assurance
- brashness
- cheek
- brassiness
- face
- confidence
- sauciness
- presumption
- chutzpah
- pertness
- nerviness
- audacity
- temerity
- effrontery
- cheekiness
- audaciousness
- presumptuousness
- hutzpah
- hutzpa
- brazenness
- sanguinity
- back talk
- sass
- swash
- cockiness
- swagger
- impudence
- chutzpa
- disrespect
- discourteousness
- insolence
- impertinence
- overconfidence
- ungraciousness
- hardihood
- inconsiderateness
- self-assurance
- incivility
- rudeness
- impoliteness
- self-confidence
- inconsideration
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- timidity
- modesty
- hesitancy
- diffidence
- bashfulness
- timorousness
- shyness
- gentility
- manners
- timidness
- civility
- faintheartedness
- courtesy
- graciousness
- mannerliness
- courteousness