What does "brahmin" mean?
A member of the Hindu priestly caste, one of the four varnas or social groups based on occupation in ancient Hindu society.
Brahmin
/ˈbɹɑːmɪn/ adj, name, noun
adj, name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A member of the Hindu priestly caste, one of the four varnas or social groups based on occupation in ancient Hindu society.
- Grammar: brahmin is listed as adj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: academic, archaic usage, bos indicus, brahma.
- Useful contrasts: common usage, commoner, egalitarian.
- Usage evidence: Branching from the root of it all was New England Society. The original Nelson [W. Aldrich] became remembered as a patrician, a Brahmin.
How to use "brahmin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "brahmin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "brahmin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "brahmin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "brahmin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "brahmin" is acting as adj, name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "academic" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "brahmin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A member of the Hindu priestly caste, one of the four varnas or social groups based on occupation in ancient Hindu society.
- 2 Alternative spelling of brahmin. alt-of, alternative
- 3 any of several breeds of Indian cattle; especially a large American heat and tick resistant greyish humped breed evolved in the Gulf States by interbreeding Indian cattle and now used chiefly for crossbreeding wordnet
- 4 One who has realized or attempts to realize Brahman, i.e. God or supreme knowledge.
- 5 the highest of the four varnas: the priestly or sacerdotal category wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A scholar, teacher, priest, intellectual, researcher, scientist, knowledge-seeker, or knowledge worker.
- 7 a member of the highest of the four Hindu varnas wordnet
- 8 A member of a social and cultural elite, especially in the New England region of the USA. New-England, US, capitalized, especially
"Branching from the root of it all was New England Society. The original Nelson [W. Aldrich] became remembered as a patrician, a Brahmin."
- 9 a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family) wordnet
- 10 A learned person of refined taste and mild manners.
Adjective
- 1 Scholarly. not-comparable
Proper Noun
- 1 Alternative spelling of Brahman. alt-of, alternative
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Branching from the root of it all was New England Society. The original Nelson [W. Aldrich] became remembered as a patrician, a Brahmin."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "brahmin"?
Common synonyms include: academic, archaic usage, bos indicus, brahma, brahman, brahmana.
How do you use "brahmin" in a sentence?
Branching from the root of it all was New England Society. The original Nelson [W. Aldrich] became remembered as a patrician, a Brahmin.
How do you pronounce "brahmin"?
Pronounced /ˈbɹɑːmɪn/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French bramine, from obsolete Portuguese bramine, from Sanskrit ब्राह्मण (brā́hmaṇa); modern French brahmane, Portuguese brâmane are readjusted after Sanskrit. Doublet of Brahmana.