brainstorm

A2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈbɹeɪnstɔɹm/ UK /ˈbɹeɪnstɔːm/ See IPA manual

Freq #24311

Meanings

1

verb
To think up many ideas quickly, often as a group.

Let's brainstorm some ideas for the new project.
2

noun
A sudden good idea, especially one that solves a problem.

I had a brainstorm and finally saw the answer.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · a sudden good idea,... brainwaveinsight

Word family

Forms brainstormedbrainstorms

Derived forms brainstormerbrainstormy

Related forms spitballworkshop

Etymology

From brain + storm. In the sense of "problem-solve", devised as a method of group creative problem-solving by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn and his employees, who coined the term based on the image of using "the brain to storm a problem". First use appears c. 1945. In the sense of "seizure, convulsion, brain activity", from the unrelated idea that it resembles a storm in the brain. First use appears c. 1861.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# brainstorm

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈbɹeɪnstɔɹm/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈbɹeɪnstɔːm/
**Frequency rank:** 24311

## Meanings
1. To think up many ideas quickly, often as a group.
2. A sudden good idea, especially one that solves a problem.

## Examples
- Let's brainstorm some ideas for the new project.
- I had a brainstorm and finally saw the answer.

## Derived Forms
- brainstormer
- brainstormy

## Related Forms
- spitball
- workshop

## Etymology
From brain + storm. In the sense of "problem-solve", devised as a method of group creative problem-solving by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn and his employees, who coined the term based on the image of using "the brain to storm a problem". First use appears c. 1945. In the sense of "seizure, convulsion, brain activity", from the unrelated idea that it resembles a storm in the brain. First use appears c. 1861.

## AI Etymology
Brainstorm comes from brain + storm. In the sense of "problem-solve", devised as a method of group creative problem-solving by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn and his employees, who coined the term based on the image of using "the brain to storm a problem". First use appears c. 1945. In the sense of "seizure, convulsion, brain activity", from the unrelated idea that it resembles a storm in the brain. First use appears c. 1861.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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