1 C1 neutral
to overflow because something is filled to the top
"The bucket brims over after every heavy rain."
inseparable
brim over
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
to overflow, especially with liquid or strong emotion
In plain English
to be so full that it spills out
What does "brim over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
to be full of strong feeling so that it is openly expressed
"He was brimming over with pride as he watched his daughter graduate."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to fill to the brim and go over
Actually means
to be so full that it spills out
Usage tip
Usually literary or expressive. Common with figurative subjects such as joy, pride, or gratitude.
Words that pair with "brim over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tears emotion joy pride cup river
How to conjugate "brim over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
brim over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
brims over
he/she/it
Past simple
brimed over
yesterday
Past participle
brimed over
have + pp
-ing form
briming over
continuous
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