What does brattish mean?
"Brattish" is an informal adjective used to describe someone who behaves like a spoiled child — petulant, demanding, self-centered, and prone to sulking or tantrums when they do not get their way. Though it derives from "brat," a long-established English word for an annoyingly ill-mannered child, "brattish" is most often applied to adolescents and especially adults whose behavior remains childish well past childhood. It carries a distinctly disapproving connotation, though its tone is more wry than vicious, which makes it a favorite of reviewers and commentators describing entitled celebrities, difficult characters in fiction, or public figures caught in undignified displays. The word sits alongside its more common cousin "bratty," but "brattish" reads as slightly more measured and literary, lending a touch of dry wit to criticism.
adjectiveCharacteristic of or resembling a brat; behaving in a childish, spoiled, or annoyingly self-important way.
- Behaving like a spoiled, ill-mannered child; petulant and self-centered.
- (Of things) having qualities reminiscent of a brat, such as a whining tone or demanding character.
"His brattish insistence on having the window seat made the whole flight miserable."
"She gave a brattish stomp of her foot when told the shop was closed."
"There was something brattish about his constant need to be first in every queue."
"Brattish" takes one of English's most dismissive nouns for a badly behaved child and turns it into a sharp little adjective — perfect for describing adults who never grew out of it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of brattish
"Brattish" is formed from the noun "brat," meaning a badly behaved child, combined with the adjectival suffix "-ish." The word "brat" itself has been in English since at least the early modern period, originally meaning a child in general before narrowing to mean a spoiled or troublesome one. Its deeper origins are uncertain, so no confident cognates in other languages can be cited.
Related word forms
How brattish is actually used
"Brattish" is informal to semi-formal and always carries negative connotations. It is less common than "bratty" but slightly more restrained in tone, making it suitable for written commentary as well as casual speech. It applies chiefly to people and their behavior, though it can extend figuratively to attitudes or tones.
Easily confused with brattish
"Bratty" is the far more common informal equivalent, while "brattish" is the slightly more formal or literary adjective form.
"Brittle" means easily broken or fragile and merely looks somewhat similar in spelling; it has nothing to do with bad behavior.