brexit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High (peaked during 2016-2020, now a historical/political term)Journalistic, Political, Economic, General
Quick answer
What does “brexit” mean?
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, achieved in January 2020 after a 2016 referendum.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, achieved in January 2020 after a 2016 referendum.
A portmanteau of 'Britain' and 'exit' used to refer to the political process, negotiations, and consequences of the UK's departure from the EU. Also used metonymically to refer to the political movement, ideology, or event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally understood, but its salience and emotional weight are far greater in UK discourse. In American usage, it is more of a foreign policy/economic event.
Connotations
In the UK: Highly polarizing; associated with national identity, sovereignty, immigration, and economic uncertainty. In the US: Often framed as an example of nationalism, populism, or a cautionary tale about political division.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in UK media (2016-2021), now moderate. Lower but consistent frequency in US/international media and analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “brexit” in a Sentence
the impact of Brexit on XBritain's exit from the EU (paraphrase)the Brexit processa post-Brexit agreementVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brexit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government pledged to 'get Brexit done'.
- We cannot simply Brexit without a plan.
American English
- Analysts debated whether Britain could successfully Brexit.
- The country voted to Brexit in 2016.
adverb
British English
- The economy performed post-Brexit.
American English
- The markets reacted post-Brexit.
adjective
British English
- The Brexit deadline was repeatedly extended.
- Brexit-related paperwork caused delays at ports.
American English
- The Brexit vote sent shockwaves through global markets.
- They studied the Brexit negotiations as a political case.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to trade barriers, supply chain disruption, regulatory divergence, and market access.
Academic
Studied in political science, economics, and sociology as a case study in populism, disintegration, and referendum politics.
Everyday
Used in discussions about travel, immigration rules, food prices, and national politics.
Technical
In legal/economic contexts: refers to the Article 50 process, the withdrawal agreement, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brexit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brexit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brexit”
- Misspelling as 'Brixit' or 'Breakxit'.
- Using 'Brexit' to refer to other countries leaving the EU (use 'Grexit', 'Frexit', etc.).
- Using it as a generic verb without a direct object (e.g., 'The country voted to Brexit').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a proper noun referring to a specific historical event and process, so standard usage capitalizes it (Brexit).
Yes, in informal and journalistic contexts, especially during the active process (e.g., 'to Brexit'). It is a denominal verb formed from the noun.
A 'hard Brexit' implied a clean break with the EU's single market and customs union, prioritizing sovereignty over close economic ties. A 'soft Brexit' envisaged remaining closely aligned with the EU's market rules to minimize economic disruption.
No, while the direct effects are on the UK and EU, it had global ramifications in financial markets, set a precedent for other regions, and affected international diplomacy and trade agreements involving the UK.
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, achieved in January 2020 after a 2016 referendum.
Brexit is usually journalistic, political, economic, general in register.
Brexit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɛksɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɛksɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get Brexit done (political slogan)”
- “Brexit means Brexit (political slogan)”
- “A cliff-edge Brexit”
- “A no-deal Brexit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRitain's EXIT from the EU.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVORCE (a messy separation), JOURNEY (a path, a process), DISMANTLING (unpicking integration).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a direct consequence often discussed in relation to Brexit?