brusquerie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very RareFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “brusquerie” mean?
The quality or state of being blunt, abrupt, or curt in manner or speech.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being blunt, abrupt, or curt in manner or speech; brusqueness.
A specific instance or display of brusque, unceremonious, or rudely hasty behaviour that shows a lack of consideration for others' feelings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference, but the word is marginally more likely to be encountered in UK English due to a slightly higher tolerance for formal French borrowings in literary contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a refined criticism. In a UK context, it might be used to critique a breach of subtle social etiquette; in a US context, it might critique a failure of direct but polite communication.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both varieties, found almost exclusively in formal writing, literary criticism, or high-register descriptions of character.
Grammar
How to Use “brusquerie” in a Sentence
[Subject]'s brusquerie [verb of effect]...He was known for his brusquerie.She apologized for her brusquerie.The brusquerie of his reply was startling.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brusquerie” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His manner, often described as brusque, bordered on brusquerie.
American English
- The brusque reply was a classic example of his brusquerie.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in performance reviews or character assessments: 'His technical brilliance is sometimes undermined by a managerial brusquerie that alienates junior staff.'
Academic
Found in literary or historical analysis describing characters, authors, or rhetorical styles: 'The brusquerie of the narrator's tone establishes an unreliable, cynical perspective.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Would sound markedly pretentious.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brusquerie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brusquerie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brusquerie”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He committed a brusquerie'). It is typically uncountable, referring to a quality. *'He was guilty of brusquerie' is correct.*
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈbrʌskəri/. The stress is on the final syllable.
- Using it in an informal context where 'rudeness' or 'abruptness' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While rudeness is a broad category, brusquerie is a specific type of rudeness characterised by abrupt, blunt, and curt behaviour, often suggesting impatience or a dismissive lack of ceremony. It is a more nuanced, formal term.
Rarely. It is almost always a criticism. However, in certain contexts (e.g., describing a no-nonsense surgeon or a decisive leader), it might be framed as a necessary or efficient trait, though even then it carries a note of warning about its social cost.
They are synonyms. 'Brusqueness' is the more common, fully anglicised term. 'Brusquerie' is a direct French borrowing that sounds more literary, refined, and formal. The meaning is effectively identical.
No. The related verb is 'to brusque', but it is archaic and almost never used. The adjective is 'brusque'. The noun forms are 'brusqueness' and the rarer 'brusquerie'.
The quality or state of being blunt, abrupt, or curt in manner or speech.
Brusquerie is usually formal, literary in register.
Brusquerie: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrʊs.kəˈriː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrʊs.kəˈri/ or /bruːs-/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word itself is a formal equivalent of the idiom 'to have a rough edge' or 'to lack social graces'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRU'S'QUErie – imagine a BRUise caused by someone's brusQUE manner. The hurt feeling from their abruptness is the 'bruise' (BRU), and the manner is 'que' (QUE from brusQUE).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS PHYSICAL CONTACT / MANNER IS TEXTURE. Brusquerie is conceptualised as a rough, jagged, or abrasive texture in social interaction, causing friction.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the word 'brusquerie' LEAST likely to be appropriately used?