brahmin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal; Specialized (Anthropology, Sociology, History, Cultural Criticism).
Quick answer
What does “brahmin” mean?
A member of the highest Hindu caste, traditionally priests and scholars.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the highest Hindu caste, traditionally priests and scholars; by extension, a person of great cultural and intellectual refinement or elitism.
In Western (particularly American) usage, a member of a socially and culturally elite class, especially one from an old, aristocratic family, often associated with intellectualism, privilege, and influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the primary reference is typically to the Hindu caste. The American social-elite connotation is less common. In American English, the social-elite meaning (e.g., Boston Brahmin) is prominent and culturally specific.
Connotations
UK: Neutral/technical (religious/caste). US: Can be neutral (historical) or pejorative (implying snobbery, insular privilege).
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the socio-historical 'Boston Brahmin' usage. In both varieties, overall frequency is low.
Grammar
How to Use “brahmin” in a Sentence
[Adjective] + Brahmin (e.g., 'Boston Brahmin')Brahmin + [Noun] (e.g., 'Brahmin priest', 'Brahmin values')Brahmin + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., 'a Brahmin of the old school')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brahmin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- His brahminical upbringing emphasized Sanskrit and philosophy. (Note: 'brahminical' is the adjectival form)
American English
- She had a distinctly Brahmin disdain for popular culture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in discussions of corporate nepotism or elite networks: 'The board was dominated by financial brahmins from old Wall Street families.'
Academic
Common in anthropology, religious studies, sociology, and history. 'The role of the brahmin in Vedic ritual is well documented.'
Everyday
Very rare. Likely only in educated discourse about social class or Indian culture.
Technical
Specific term in Indology and South Asian studies for the priestly varna.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brahmin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brahmin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brahmin”
- Confusing 'brahmin' (the caste/social class) with 'Brahman' (the Hindu concept of ultimate reality).
- Using it to describe any wealthy person without the connotation of old-family, intellectual, or cultural elitism.
- Misspelling as 'brahman' in the social context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Brahmin' (also spelled 'Brahman') refers to the priestly caste or a social elite. 'Brahman' (usually capitalized) is the Hindu concept of the ultimate, formless reality or world-soul. In modern usage, 'brahmin' is preferred for the caste/social meaning to avoid confusion.
It depends on context. Historically, it denotes respect for an educated, cultured establishment. In modern critical discourse, it often implies elitism, snobbery, and being out of touch.
Not directly. The standard adjectival form is 'brahminical' (relating to brahmins or their traditions). However, in compounds like 'brahmin family', it functions attributively.
No. It is a low-frequency, specialized term. Learners are most likely to encounter it in academic texts about Indian society or in analytical writing about American social history and class.
A member of the highest Hindu caste, traditionally priests and scholars.
Brahmin is usually formal; specialized (anthropology, sociology, history, cultural criticism). in register.
Brahmin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɑːmɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɑːmɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Boston Brahmin”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRAHMin' sounds like 'BRAIN' + 'MIN' (as in 'minister'). A Brahmin is traditionally a priestly scholar—a 'brain minister'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/INTELLECTUAL ELITISM IS A PRIESTLY CASTE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Brahmin' MOST likely to be used in American English?