Gray matter Meaning in English
expression
Definition
The tissue in the brain and spinal cord made up mostly of nerve cell bodies. Also used informally to mean intelligence or brainpower.
Usage & Nuances
In science, refers strictly to anatomical brain tissue. In everyday English, used playfully to mean someone's intelligence ('use your gray matter'). Neutral in tone; informal when not literal. Often appears in phrases like 'use your gray matter' or 'put your gray matter to work'.
Example Sentences
The human brain is full of gray matter.
basic
Doctors study gray matter to learn about brain diseases.
basic
You need to use your gray matter to solve this puzzle.
basic
After a long day, my gray matter feels exhausted.
natural
Let’s put our gray matter to work and finish this project.
natural
It takes a lot of gray matter to come up with ideas like that!
natural