brim

¹

[brim]

noun

1. the upper edge of anything hollow; rim; brink.

   the brim of a cup.

2. a projecting edge.

   the brim of a hat.

3. margin.

verb (used without object)

brimmed, brimming 

1. to be full to the brim.

verb (used with object)

brimmed, brimming 

1. to fill to the brim.

brim

²

[brim]

noun

plural

brim ,

plural

brims .

1. Southern U.S.,  bream.

brim

/ brɪm /

noun

1. the upper rim of a vessel

   the brim of a cup

2. a projecting rim or edge

   the brim of a hat

3. the brink or edge of something

verb

1. to fill or be full to the brim

   eyes brimming with tears

Other Word Forms

• brimless adjective
• brimmingly adverb
• unbrimming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brim¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English brimme “brink, rim” (earlier, “shore, bank”); apparently akin to Middle High German brem, ( German Bräme ), Old Norse barmr “rim, edge”

Word History and Origins

Origin of brim¹

C13: from Middle High German brem , probably from Old Norse barmr ; see _berm

Idioms and Phrases

see filled to the brim.

Synonym Study

See rim.

Example Sentences

You’re either fit or fat, strong or weak, brimming with health or on the verge of death.

From Salon

It was very much the opposite, with fans brimming with joy, eager to get first dibs on the collection.

From Los Angeles Times

They had packed their suitcases to the brim with local sweets and traveled 24 hours by bus along with four other parents of U.S. immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

The stadium, to Epstein’s relief, was filled to the brim with nary an empty seat to be found.

From Salon

A move-you-to-tears orchestral ballad of bone shaking intensity, the majestic “Desastre” — it brims with eccentric sound effects and Beatlesque progressions — would be the most elegant possible choice for both record and song of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fill 
• fill up 
• overflow 
• swell 
• teem