brim

1.nounB2

Definition

the strip around a hat that extends outward beyond the crown.

Example

A wide brim kept sun off Zara's face at the beach.

wide brim on a hat

Rain dripped from the brim of Theo's hat onto his coat.

the brim of a hat

Common collocations

wide brim
narrow brim
hat brim
pull the brim down

Synonyms

rim
broader word for an edge around something; less strongly tied to hats
visor
only the front projecting part, not the full circle around a hat

Grammar Patterns

the brim of a hat

wide brim

Usage Note

Almost always used for hats. Common modifiers include 'wide', 'narrow', and 'floppy'.

Common Mistakes

She bought a wide hat brim for the beach.

She bought a hat with a wide brim for the beach.

'brim' names one part of the hat, not the whole hat.

2.nounB2

Definition

the upper edge around an open container such as a cup, bowl, or bucket.

Example

Foam reached the brim of Ravi's glass before he set it down.

the brim of a glass

The cook filled the bowl to the brim with hot noodles.

phrase: to the brim

Common collocations

cup brim
glass brim
to the brim
full to the brim

Synonyms

rim
the closest everyday synonym for the circular top edge of a container
lip
often used for a thinner edge where liquid is poured out
edge
more general and less specific about shape

Grammar Patterns

the brim of a cup

to the brim

Usage Note

Most often appears in the fixed phrases 'to the brim' and 'full to the brim'. Distinguish from sense 1, which belongs to hats.

Common Mistakes

Fill the glass until the brim.

Fill the glass to the brim.

the usual preposition in this phrase is 'to'.

1.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to put in so much of something that a container reaches its top edge.

Example

Mei brimmed the cups with tea before the guests sat down.

brim + container + with

At the stall, the vendor brimmed each paper bowl with sweet beans.

Common collocations

brim the cup with tea
brim a bowl with rice
brim the tanks with water

Synonyms

fill
broader and much more common; it does not always mean all the way to the top
top up
often means adding a little more, not necessarily making something completely full

Antonyms

empty
remove the contents instead of adding more
drain
let liquid out of a container

Grammar Patterns

brim [container] with [substance]

Usage Note

Object is the container being filled. Unlike sense 2, this sense takes a direct object and often adds 'with' before the substance.

Common Mistakes

Mei brimmed tea in the cups.

Mei brimmed the cups with tea.

the object is the container, not the liquid.

2.verbintransitiveB2

Definition

to become so full, especially of liquid, that the contents rise to the edge or begin to spill over.

Example

After the storm, the ditch brimmed with muddy water by noon.

brim with + liquid

The sink brimmed with soapy water after the children washed the dog.

Common collocations

brim with water
brim with rain
ditch brimming
brim over the edge

Synonyms

fill up
common everyday phrase that does not always suggest reaching the edge
overflow
stronger; it means liquid actually goes over the edge

Antonyms

empty
become free of contents instead of becoming full
dry up
used when water disappears rather than rises to the edge

Grammar Patterns

brim with [liquid]

[container] brims

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'with' plus the thing inside, especially water or another liquid. Distinguish from sense 1, where someone fills the container directly.

Common Mistakes

The bucket brimmed by rainwater.

The bucket brimmed with rainwater.

this sense normally uses 'with'.

Word family

brimming
adjectiveC1
brimful
adjectiveC1
brimmed
adjectiveB2
brimless
adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

For containers, 'brim' points to the very top line where liquid can reach or spill over. It is common in phrases like 'to the brim' and often suggests fullness. 'Rim' is the closest synonym, but it is broader and can name the outer edge of many round things, not only containers. 'Lip' is often used when the shape is thin or when pouring matters, such as the lip of a jug. 'Edge' is the most general word and does not suggest a circular opening. Compare: 'Fill the cup to the brim' sounds more natural than 'to the edge'. 'The rim of the glass was chipped' focuses on the part itself, not the level of the liquid.

brim ↗rimlip ↗edge ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

full to the brim

Prepositions

to the brim
with

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanGermanicMiddle EnglishEnglish

The noun 'brim' is recorded in Middle English with the sense of an edge or border. It is probably related to older Germanic words for a margin or projecting edge. English later extended it to the upper edge of hollow things, such as cups and hats. The verb developed from the noun in the early modern period and first meant filling something right up to that edge.

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brim

brim — noun

1. the strip around a hat that extends outward beyond the crown.

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. the upper edge around an open container such as a cup, bowl, or bucket.

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

brim — verb

1. to put in so much of something that a container reaches its top edge.

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to become so full, especially of liquid, that the contents rise to the edge or b

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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