noun

brainiac

BRAY-nee-ak

noun

Informal: a very intelligent, studious person.

"Her older brother was a total brainiac who finished school two years early."

How to Use Brainiac

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual, often affectionate term for someone very smart or bookish.

When to use it

Informal — fine in conversation, too casual for formal writing.

Common pairings

a total brainiac class brainiac

brainiacs plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

Her older brother was a total _____ who finished school two years early.

A blend of brain and maniac, popularized by the name of a supervillain in the Superman comics from 1958.

zodiac cardiac Pontiac amnesiac insomniac egomaniac pyromaniac aphrodisiac kleptomaniac megalomaniac nymphomaniac hypochondriac