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a child who behaves badly and is often rude or spoiled
a small pork sausage
a confident, rebellious person, often female, with a sassy or carefree attitude
SlangWhat is the origin and meaning of the word "brat"?
The slang term brat traditionally referred to a badly behaved or spoiled child, with its earliest uses in English dating back to the 16th century, possibly from a Scots word for a coarse garment or from Old Irish meaning "cloak," later evolving to mean an unruly youngster. In modern slang, while it can still carry the negative sense of someone acting entitled or petulant, it has also taken on more playful and even empowering connotations, especially in youth culture and online spaces. Today, calling someone a "brat" can be a teasing or affectionate way to describe a person who is cheeky, rebellious, or unapologetically bold, and in certain contexts it is embraced as part of a confident, nonconformist persona celebrated in fashion, music, and social media.
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