Synonyms for

Brains

Verb / breɪnz / Another word for brains — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

The organ inside the head that controls thought, memory, and emotion.

Synonyms & similar words

genius brain nous encephalon head mind psyche brainiac mentalcapacity learningability brainpower mastermind einstein mentality wit intelligence mind intellect wit cerebrum noodle smarts brainpower reasoning understanding cognition perception thinking thought mentality knowledge acumen discernment

Synonyms by register

Formal

intellect cognition mind gray matter

Informal

noggin head smarts wit cranial capacity

Literary

cynosure luminary oracle

Antonyms

ignorance stupidity foolishness density dimness mindlessness

Common collocations

  • use your brains
  • pick someone's brains
  • rack your brains
  • brains trust
  • brains behind
  • a good brain
  • brains of the operation

Word family

noun brain
verb brain
adjective brainy
adverb brainily

Usage note

Often used informally to refer to intelligence or a person with intelligence. 'Brains' can also refer to the physical organ.

Example sentences

  1. She has a lot of brains and always gets good grades.
  2. He used his brains to come up with a solution to the problem.
  3. She hit her head and hurt her brains.
  4. The scientist studied the brains of animals to learn more about them.
  5. To be a doctor, you need to learn a lot about the human brains.

Quotes

  • I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens. - Woody Allen
  • A day without sunshine is like, you know, night. - Steve Martin
  • When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. I'm beginning to believe it. - Clarence Darrow

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