brogrammer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “brogrammer” mean?
A programmer (especially in tech startups) whose behaviour and interests align with a stereotypical, hyper-masculine, 'bro' or frat-boy culture, often emphasising socialising, partying, and fitness over stereotypical 'nerdy' programmer traits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A programmer (especially in tech startups) whose behaviour and interests align with a stereotypical, hyper-masculine, 'bro' or frat-boy culture, often emphasising socialising, partying, and fitness over stereotypical 'nerdy' programmer traits.
The term is a portmanteau of 'bro' and 'programmer', and is often used pejoratively to critique a perceived shift in tech culture away from meritocratic, intellectual values towards one privileging aggressive confidence, networking, and a specific, exclusionary form of masculinity. It can also be used ironically or self-referentially.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is predominantly used in American tech culture. In British English, it is a direct loanword, understood but less commonly used.
Connotations
In American usage, it carries strong cultural associations with Silicon Valley startups, fraternities, and specific American 'bro' stereotypes. In British usage, it is more detached, often seen as a specific American cultural import.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English. In British English, it is a niche term within tech circles.
Grammar
How to Use “brogrammer” in a Sentence
be/label/describe as a brogrammerthe rise of the brogrammerbrogrammer mentality/ethosVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brogrammer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The startup scene has started to brogramme its hiring, focusing more on 'cultural fit'.
- He tried to brogram his way through the interview with fist bumps.
American English
- The company is slowly brogramming, replacing quiet engineers with more outgoing types.
- Don't brogram the code review; just give me the technical feedback.
adverb
British English
- He greeted everyone brogrammer-ly, with excessive high-fives.
- The team was behaving rather brogrammerishly during the offsite.
American English
- He coded brogrammerly, prioritizing flashy features over stability.
- The presentation was delivered brogrammer-style, full of sports analogies.
adjective
British English
- The office had a brogrammer vibe, with protein shakers on every desk.
- He rejected the brogrammer lifestyle, preferring solitary coding.
American English
- It's a totally brogrammer startup—keg in the kitchen, ping-pong, and lots of testosterone.
- His brogrammer attitude was a turn-off during the team meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically in discussions about company culture, diversity, and hiring practices in tech firms.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological or cultural studies critiquing gender and culture in STEM fields.
Everyday
Very rare outside of conversations about tech industry culture.
Technical
Not a technical term. Used meta-discursively about the social environment of programming.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brogrammer”
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'programmer'.
- Spelling as 'brogramer' or 'bro-grammer'.
- Assuming it's a compliment.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a critical or pejorative term, though it can be used ironically by those within the culture it describes.
The term is inherently gendered and tied to masculine stereotypes. A woman might be described as adopting 'brogrammer' behaviour or attitudes, but the label itself is rarely applied directly to women.
It gained prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s alongside the rise of certain Silicon Valley startup cultures and increased scrutiny on gender dynamics in tech.
They are closely related. 'Tech bro' is broader, referring to men in the tech industry with a certain attitude. 'Brogrammer' is more specific, implying the person is actually a programmer or software engineer, not just an investor, marketer, or founder.
A programmer (especially in tech startups) whose behaviour and interests align with a stereotypical, hyper-masculine, 'bro' or frat-boy culture, often emphasising socialising, partying, and fitness over stereotypical 'nerdy' programmer traits.
Brogrammer is usually informal, slang in register.
Brogrammer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrəʊˌɡræmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbroʊˌɡræmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Bro' + 'Programmer'. Imagine a programmer who spends more time at the gym and networking events than writing elegant code.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRAMMING IS A FRATERNITY / TECH CULTURE IS A SPORTS TEAM.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the term 'brogrammer'?