What is the difference between brim and rim in English language?

Question

I wonder what the difference between brim and rim is in English and if i should use each one of them in specific situations which are not allowed for the other one.

Answer 1

There isn't much difference in definition, but there is some difference in common use. Usually the word brim is used only when describing the top of a glass, cup or mug, or part of a hat. Sometimes you hear the "rim of the cup," but the word brim is more correct. Rim is used in many more situations. A canyon might have a rim, but probably not a brim, for example. Both of them mean edge, and usually indicate the edge of something curved.

Also, only brim can be used as a verb, although it is fairly uncommon today. You can ask someone to brim your coffee, for example, meaning filling your cup to the brim.

Answer 2

Though they sound very much the same and have very similiar meanings, the Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology shows that the two words have different origins.

brim - Meaning edge, border, raised edge, margin and brink
Brim originating (uncertainly) from Germanic 'verbramen' - "Provide with an border or an edge" whence (perhaps) barm and 'berm' (a raised heap of dirt or nowadays even snow for you skiers).

As for Rim it is listed of course as a margin but in Olde English had the common meaning of the outer part of a wheel.

You can of course use either word to mean a border, edge or most commonly edge of a circular area.

It would probably profit to consider a Brim as a raised edge and A rim as a circles edge and if you have a raised edge off a circle look to hat terminology where the brim rides the rim of the hat. ugh...

Brim is slightly less common currently and might be considered almost archaic by some.

Still unless you are patenting some really weird device you can probably use the terms (mostly) interchangeably).

I am an English laymen only but feel this is fair advice.
Find a superiorly stiff English teacher for a more solid 'opinion'.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

A basketball hoop has a rim, not a brim. A drummer can play a rimshot, hitting the rim of the snare drum . Brim can be used as a verb to indicate something filling up eg. Her eyes brimmed with tears. Rim can also be used as a verb but I can't think of any examples. (Decent ones, that is) This is a good question. Now you might try finding the differences between crude and rude.

Answer 4

Brim Definition

Answer 5

Define Brim

Answer 6

Dear Peter, your question is a good one.I have heard it said that English is peculiar enough to drive students of the language crazy. But you are surely doing well to notice the difference in the phrases you mention. Here's how I would explain them: Oh sh.t, I just turned 50 -- that would mean an expression of discouragement or unhappiness. No sh.t, I just turned 50 -- that would mean, you should have known this already. Sh.t, I just turned 50 -- In this case sh.t would be an expression of exasperation. It's bullsh.t, I just turned 50 -- bullsh.t means something not worth of consideration. Hope that helps! The complexity of English is probably why most of us native speakers do not speak it correctly!

Answer 7

The brim of a hat.
The rim of a cup.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

whenever u r full u say i am full 2 d BRIM
whenever u c a car u say d RIM is good..

Answer 10

I've been thinking and thinking about that one! LOL

As far as I can think of, they can be used interchangeably.