What Does ‘Brat’ Mean?
In slang, "brat" describes a confident, a bit messy, party-ready attitude with no apology, and not the older meaning of a badly behaved child.
Moods & reactions adjective / noun
Examples of ‘Brat’ in a sentence
- “I wore mismatched socks to the party. Brat summer.”
- “She is totally brat about it.”
Where does ‘Brat’ come from?
It was popularised by Charli XCX's 2024 album "Brat" and the "brat summer" trend that followed. Wikipedia covers the album.
How to use it, and when not to
Use it for confident, silly energy. Do not call a child a brat in that sense.
For parents and teachers
Mostly fine – depends on tone. Clean in this sense, but some adults still hear the word as an insult for children.
Related slang
Frequently asked questions
What does Brat mean?
In slang, "brat" describes a confident, a bit messy, party-ready attitude with no apology, and not the older meaning of a badly behaved child.
Where does Brat come from?
It was popularised by Charli XCX's 2024 album "Brat" and the "brat summer" trend that followed. Wikipedia covers the album.
Is Brat OK to say around parents or teachers?
Mostly fine – depends on tone. Clean in this sense, but some adults still hear the word as an insult for children.
How do you use Brat in a sentence?
I wore mismatched socks to the party. Brat summer. She is totally brat about it.
More moods & reactions slang
Bed rot, Bruh, Cooked, Crashout, Delulu, Demure. Or browse the full A–Z / try the Slang Translator.
Sources
Definition written by VibeDex. Slang changes quickly, so this is a snapshot. Last reviewed 2026-10-23.