brat
B1Informal, often derogatory, colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
A child, especially a young one, who behaves badly and is spoiled or ill-mannered.
Can refer to a poorly behaved, entitled, or immature adult. Historically and in some dialects, also refers to a child of a military family ('army brat') or a working-class/street child.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies the child's behavior is the fault of permissive or negligent parenting. Use can be playful/affectionate among family or in phrases like 'spoiled brat'. The term is highly subjective and evaluative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the core meaning identically. 'Army brat' is very common in the US. In some older or regional UK usage (e.g., Northern England), 'brat' could neutrally mean 'child' or specifically a poorly dressed street urchin.
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects for the core meaning. 'Military brat' is a standard, non-derogatory demographic term in the US.
Frequency
Fairly common in both, but more frequent in informal US speech. The neutral/demographic use ('military brat') is distinctly more American.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + bratbrat + of + [possessive] (e.g., a brat of a boy)verb + like a + bratVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Brat Pack (1980s group of young actors)”
- “spoilt brat syndrome”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used. Inappropriate.
Academic
Not used, except in sociological contexts discussing language or stereotypes.
Everyday
Common in informal complaints about children's behavior: 'Your nephew is being a real brat.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To brat about (rare, dialectal).
adjective
British English
- He has such a bratty attitude.
- Stop your bratty behaviour.
American English
- She's acting bratty today.
- That was a bratty thing to say.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little boy is a brat.
- She doesn't like that spoiled brat.
- My sister's kids were acting like complete brats at the restaurant.
- He's a spoiled brat who always gets what he wants.
- The film portrays the protagonist as a rich, entitled brat who learns humility.
- Growing up as an army brat meant moving to a new country every few years.
- The columnist dismissed the protesters as a bunch of privileged, ideological brats who had never faced real hardship.
- Her bratty demeanor belied a profound insecurity that stemmed from parental neglect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BRAT = Badly Raised And Troublesome.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CHILD IS A WORTHLESS OBJECT/ANIMAL (negative connotations of being untamed, uncivilized).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'брат' (brother).
- Russian 'ребёнок' or 'дитя' are neutral; 'brat' is negative. Closer equivalents in connotation are 'сопляк' (derogatory) or 'балованный ребёнок'.
- The phrase 'army brat' does not have a standard direct translation; periphrasis is needed.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Overusing it as a generic word for 'child'.
- Capitalizing it unless part of a proper name (e.g., Brat Pack).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'brat' LEAST likely to be considered offensive?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always. The exception is in set phrases like 'army brat,' which is a neutral, descriptive term for a child raised in a military family. Even affectionate use ('you little brat') carries a teasing, mildly critical tone.
'Brat' is a blunt, informal, often emotionally charged label. 'Spoiled child' is a more descriptive, slightly more formal phrase focusing on the cause (over-indulgence). You can have a badly-behaved child who isn't spoiled, but 'brat' often implies they are.
Yes. Calling an adult a brat implies they are immature, selfish, petulant, or entitled—behaving like a spoiled child. Example: 'He's a 40-year-old brat who still expects his parents to solve his problems.'
The adjective is 'bratty' (e.g., bratty behavior, a bratty kid). It describes someone who acts like a brat.