brindisi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “brindisi” mean?
A toast or drinking song, especially one in which glasses are raised and clinked together in celebration.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A toast or drinking song, especially one in which glasses are raised and clinked together in celebration.
A formal or enthusiastic expression of good wishes, honor, or celebration made while drinking, often accompanied by a song; can also refer to the Italian city of Brindisi, but primarily used in English for the drinking custom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British contexts related to classical music or opera.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with Italian culture, formal toasts, and operatic tradition.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in niche artistic or musical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “brindisi” in a Sentence
propose [a brindisi] to [someone/something]sing [a brindisi] in honour ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brindisi” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The guests did not brindisi; they simply raised their glasses quietly.
American English
- It's not common to brindisi in that way here.
adverb
British English
- He sang brindisi-style, with great flourish.
American English
- They toasted brindisi-fashion, clinking every glass.
adjective
British English
- The brindisi song filled the hall with merriment.
American English
- They played a brindisi tune from the opera.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, literature, or cultural studies discussing Italian traditions or specific works (e.g., Verdi's operas).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used self-consciously at a very formal or themed event.
Technical
A specific term in music for a song intended as a toast within an opera or operetta.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brindisi”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brindisi”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brindisi”
- Mispronouncing it as /braɪnˈdiːsi/ or /ˈbrɪndɪsɪ/.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'party' instead of a specific toast or song.
- Capitalising it when not referring to the city.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency loanword used primarily in specific cultural, musical, or formal contexts.
The 'Brindisi' (Libiamo ne' lieti calici) from Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'La Traviata' is the most well-known.
Yes, but in English, when capitalised (Brindisi), it refers to the city. The uncapitalised form almost exclusively means a toast or drinking song.
Use it as a noun, often preceded by 'a' or 'the', to describe the act of toasting with a song. E.g., 'He led the guests in a traditional brindisi.'
A toast or drinking song, especially one in which glasses are raised and clinked together in celebration.
Brindisi is usually formal/literary in register.
Brindisi: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪndɪzi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪndɪzi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRING a DISH (brindisi) to the party and we'll make a toast!'
Conceptual Metaphor
CELEBRATION IS A SHARED DRINK / JOY IS A RAISED GLASS
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'brindisi' in English?