brazil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very High (A1/A2)Formal, Informal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “brazil” mean?
A large South American country, the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large South American country, the Federative Republic of Brazil.
1. (historical) A type of red dye-wood from tropical America, giving its name to the country. 2. (informal) Used metaphorically to refer to something large, vibrant, colourful, or with a distinctive culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related adjectives (Brazilian) is identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: football/soccer, carnival, rainforest, large size, Portuguese language.
Frequency
Equal frequency; a core geographical and cultural term in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “brazil” in a Sentence
from Brazilin Brazilto BrazilVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referencing markets, exports (coffee, soybeans), or business partners.
Academic
Used in geography, environmental studies, political science, and linguistics (Portuguese).
Everyday
Discussing travel, football, culture, food, or news.
Technical
In forestry/biology, 'brazilwood' (Paubrasilia echinata) is a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brazil”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brazil”
- Misspelling as 'Brasil' (the Portuguese spelling).
- Incorrectly using 'Brazil' as an adjective (e.g., 'Brazil football' instead of 'Brazilian football').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the standard English spelling is 'Brazil'. 'Brasil' is the Portuguese spelling.
Rarely. Historically, it referred to brazilwood. In modern English, it is almost exclusively a proper noun (the country name).
Brazilian.
The pronunciation is essentially identical: /brəˈzɪl/.
A large South American country, the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Brazil is usually formal, informal, neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not all carnival in Brazil. (meaning: not everything is fun and easy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the brightly coloured 'brazil' nut, which comes from the Amazon in Brazil.
Conceptual Metaphor
BRAZIL IS A VIBRANT, RHYTHMIC BODY (e.g., 'the heart of South America', 'the pulse of samba').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary, modern meaning of 'brazil'?