brickie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, colloquial. Primarily UK, Australian, and New Zealand English.
Quick answer
What does “brickie” mean?
A bricklayer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bricklayer; a tradesperson who lays bricks to construct walls, buildings, and other structures.
Informally, it can refer to a solid, reliable person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Common in UK, AU, NZ. Very rare in US, where 'bricklayer' is used exclusively.
Connotations
UK/AU: Friendly, blue-collar, no-nonsense. US: Unfamiliar; using it might be seen as affectation.
Frequency
High frequency in spoken UK/AU English within relevant contexts (construction, DIY). Negligible in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “brickie” in a Sentence
[Subject: Person] works as a brickie.[Object: Task] We need a brickie for the extension.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brickie” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Our brickie finished the garden wall in two days.
- He trained as a brickie straight after school.
American English
- (Not used) The bricklayer arrived early to start on the foundation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal discussions in construction or property development.
Academic
Not used. 'Bricklayer' is the technical term.
Everyday
Common when discussing home improvements, building work, or tradespeople.
Technical
Not used in formal specifications or contracts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brickie”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brickie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brickie”
- Using 'brickie' in formal US contexts.
- Spelling as 'bricky'.
- Confusing with 'brickmaker'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's colloquial and informal, but not considered slang. It's a standard, widely understood informal term for the trade in the UK and Australia.
It is not recommended, as it is rarely used and would sound unusual or possibly pretentious. Use 'bricklayer' instead.
The term 'brickie' is gender-neutral in professional reference, though the trade has been male-dominated. One can say 'female brickie' or 'woman bricklayer' if specifying gender is relevant.
A 'brickie' is the qualified bricklayer. A 'brickie's mate' (or 'labourer') is an assistant who mixes mortar, fetches bricks, and supports the bricklayer.
A bricklayer.
Brickie is usually informal, colloquial. primarily uk, australian, and new zealand english. in register.
Brickie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪki/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪki/ (theoretically, though word is not standard). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As useful as a brickie's trowel in a soup kitchen. (humorous, implying something is ill-suited)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Brick' + 'ie' (like a nickname). A 'brickie' is the friendly guy who lays bricks.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLIDITY IS RELIABILITY (e.g., 'He's a brick' meaning a reliable person; a 'brickie' builds solid things).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'brickie' MOST appropriate?