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View synonyms for

brownie

[ brou-nee ]

noun

  1. (in folklore) a tiny, fanciful, good-natured brown elf who secretly helps at night with household chores.
  2. a small, chewy, cakelike cookie, usually made with chocolate and containing nuts.
  3. Australian. a bread with currants, baked in a camp oven.
  4. Sometimes Brownie. a member of the junior division of the Girl Scouts or the Girl Guides, being a girl in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade and usually between six and eight years old.


Brownie

1

/ ˈʊɪ /

noun

  1. another name for Brownie Guide
  2. (formerly) a popular make of simple box camera
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

brownie

2

/ ˈʊɪ /

noun

  1. (in folklore) an elf said to do helpful work at night, esp household chores
  2. a small square nutty chocolate cake
  3. history a bread made with currants
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of brownie1

First recorded in 1520–30; brown + -ie; in folkloric sense, originally Scots
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of brownie1

C16: diminutive of brown (that is, a small brown man)
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Synonym Study

See fairy.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Between Zoom happy hours and “Stardew Valley” sessions, I folded cold coffee into brownie batter, added matcha to white cake, swapped butter for oil just to see what would happen.

From

His government would not be the first to be swept away by the intensity and glamour of global diplomacy which, however difficult or worthy, doesn't necessarily translate into significant brownie points at home.

From

But the troops offer may gain Sir Keir some diplomatic brownie points in the West Wing.

From

When he reached the restaurant in those early hours, he was so confident it would be safe from the fires that he took a lemonade and brownie on his way out.

From

I still make salted caramel brownies the way I learned from you way back when.

From

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More About Brownie

What is a brownie?

A brownie is a small, chewy chocolate cake-like dessert that often includes nuts, as in We loved Nana’s brownies so much that we begged her to make them for every party. 

In British folklore, a brownie is a tiny, brown elf that secretly assists with chores during the night, as in I once heard a fairy tale about a brownie who helped a cobbler clean his workshop.  

Example: The first thing I learned to bake was brownies, and I still love to bake them.

Where does brownie come from?

The first records of the word brownie come from around 1520. It combines the color word brown and -ie, which is used to form informal or endearing names, like doggie and Susie. The imaginary creature is known as a brownie because it was said to have a brown color. Dessert brownies are also usually brown in color.

Brownies are a popular snack that people often make at home or purchase at a grocery store. Brownies typically resemble small, square cakes. Brownies may contain nuts, chocolate chips, fudge, or other fillings. They also may be topped with icing. Eating too many brownies is like eating too much of any dessert. It can make you sick and, if you eat too many too often, can lead to health problems. But it’s OK to have a brownie once in a while.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to brownie?

  • brownies (plural noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with brownie?

What are some words that often get used in discussing brownie?

How is brownie used in real life?

Brownies are a very popular dessert item that people often make themselves.

Try using brownie!

True or False?

A brownie is a cake-like dessert made from chocolate that may also contain nuts.

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