bricky: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low Frequency / SpecializedSpecialised / Colloquial / Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “bricky” mean?
resembling or containing brick.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
resembling or containing brick; having qualities of brick.
informal for a bricklayer or someone who works with bricks. Historically, a nickname for someone with red hair (resembling brick color).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the adjective similarly. The noun for a bricklayer is more common in UK/Australian informal speech. US usage is extremely rare for the noun.
Connotations
UK: Familiar, working-class, tradesman connotation for the noun. Both: Material description is neutral.
Frequency
The word is rare overall. The noun 'bricky' (bricklayer) sees occasional UK usage; it is virtually absent in modern American English.
Grammar
How to Use “bricky” in a Sentence
be/look/seem + bricky (Adj)work as a bricky (N)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bricky” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The soil had a dry, bricky consistency.
- They painted the wall a warm, bricky red.
American English
- The clay turns a bricky color when fired.
- The old mortar had a bricky texture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in material science or historical descriptions of architecture/soil.
Everyday
Very rare. Possibly used to describe a color or an old-fashioned term for a bricklayer.
Technical
Can describe the bricky feel of certain soils or ceramic textures.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bricky”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bricky”
- Using 'bricky' as a common synonym for 'strong' or 'sturdy'.
- Overusing the noun form in modern contexts.
- Spelling: 'brickey' is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. Its use is mostly limited to specific descriptive contexts (color/texture) or as informal, regional slang for a bricklayer.
No. While 'brick' can be an old-fashioned term for a good, brave person ('a real brick'), the adjective 'bricky' does not carry this meaning. It relates only to the material.
'Brick' is a noun (the object) or can be used attributively ('brick wall'). 'Bricky' is an adjective describing something that resembles brick in color, texture, or composition.
It is not inherently offensive but is informal and can be seen as dated or slightly diminutive. 'Bricklayer' is the standard, neutral term.
resembling or containing brick.
Bricky is usually specialised / colloquial / dialectal in register.
Bricky: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪk.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪk.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None standard for 'bricky']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'brick' with a 'y' ending, making it an adjective: 'The brick-y wall was a bricky red.'
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIAL FOR QUALITY (The substance 'brick' provides the quality 'bricky' - sturdy, red, rough).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bricky' most likely to be used correctly?