brat

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A human child.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

"So... you want to have kids someday?" "Uh... well, yes. I always figured I'd have a couple brats of my own someday..." "That's still doable, you know." "I know, but the process is a lot more complicated and less intimate, and --"

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A human child. — A child who is regarded as mischievous, unruly, spoiled, or selfish.

Register: derogatory, slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A human child. — The qualities possessed by a confident and assertive woman.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “brat” mean?

A human child.

Is “brat” formal or informal?

brat is generally slang.