brigadier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Military, Historical
Quick answer
What does “brigadier” mean?
A high-ranking military officer, typically one commanding a brigade, ranking above a colonel and below a major general.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A high-ranking military officer, typically one commanding a brigade, ranking above a colonel and below a major general.
In some organizations (e.g., police, paramilitary forces), a senior officer with command responsibilities. Historically, also a title used in certain civilian contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Brigadier' is a rank in its own right (equivalent to a one-star general). In the US, the equivalent rank is 'Brigadier General', often informally shortened to 'general'. The standalone term 'brigadier' is rare in modern US military usage.
Connotations
UK: Specific, established rank within the army hierarchy. US: Archaic or refers specifically to a 'brigadier general'; can sound slightly formal or historical.
Frequency
Far more frequent in UK English due to its status as a standard military rank. In US English, 'brigadier general' or simply 'general' is standard.
Grammar
How to Use “brigadier” in a Sentence
Brigadier + [Name] (e.g., Brigadier Smith)the + brigadier + of + [unit]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. 'Director' or 'Senior VP' are analogous business titles.
Academic
Used in historical or military studies contexts.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Mostly encountered in news about the military or historical dramas.
Technical
Specific term in military science and organisational hierarchies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brigadier”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brigadier”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brigadier”
- Misspelling as 'briggadier' or 'brigadear'.
- Using it as a generic term for any high-ranking official.
- In US context, using 'brigadier' instead of the full 'brigadier general' in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, no. A British 'Brigadier' is a distinct rank. In the US, 'Brigadier General' is the full title of the one-star general rank, sometimes informally shortened.
Yes. The title is gender-neutral (e.g., Brigadier Smith). The term 'Brigadier' is used regardless of gender.
It is almost exclusively a military or paramilitary rank. Any other use is either historical or a metaphorical extension implying a similar level of authority.
In British military contexts, it is often abbreviated as 'Brig'. In the US, 'BG' is used for Brigadier General.
A high-ranking military officer, typically one commanding a brigade, ranking above a colonel and below a major general.
Brigadier is usually formal, military, historical in register.
Brigadier: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare] Play the brigadier: to act in an overly authoritative manner.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BRIGADE (a military unit) and its leader - the brigad-IER. The '-ier' suffix often indicates a person involved with something (e.g., financier, grenadier).
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS UP (brigadier is a 'high' rank); AUTHORITY IS A COMMAND POSITION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of 'brigadier' in modern American English?