Brand New or Brand-New? Which is Correct?

If you want to write about something that is completely new or unused, you may want to describe it as brand new. 

But is it brand new or brand-new? These two phrases are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but do they mean the same thing?

Without the hyphen, brand new acts as a noun referring to something that is entirely new or unused. On the other hand, “brand-new” with a hyphen is an adjective used to describe the quality of a noun[brand-new book, etc].

Brand New or Brand-New? Which is Correct?

Both “brand new” and “brand-new” are correct. They basically mean the same thing – something that is totally new or unused. The choice between the two depends on the situation and your personal writing style.

Brand New: Meaning and Usage

“Brand new”, without a hyphen, usually works as a noun phrase. It refers to something that is completely new and hasn’t been used before. For example:

  • “This car is brand new.”

In English grammar, this pair of words is known as an open compound noun, which means it is written as two separate words without a hyphen.

Brand-New: Meaning and Usage

“Brand-new” with a hyphen, acts as an adjective phrase describing the state of a noun, such as in:

  • “This is a brand-new book”.

Hyphens are typically used in compound adjectives to make the meaning clear, especially when they come before the noun they are describing.

In the sentence “She showed off her brand-new dress,” the hyphen links “brand” and “new” to work as a single descriptor for “dress.”

Examples of Using Brand New in A Sentence

“This car is brand new.

“My smartphone is brand new.

“The house they bought is brand new.

“The appliances in the kitchen are all brand new.

“The computer I am using is brand new..

“The furniture in their living room is brand new.”

Examples of Using Brand-New in A Sentence

“She bought a brand-new dress for the party.”

“He got a brand-new laptop for his birthday.”

“We moved into a brand-new house last week.”

“I just installed a brand-new software on my computer.”

“He was excited to ride his brand-new bike.”

“They launched a brand-new product this year.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of brand new?

The term “brand new” signifies that an item is completely new and has never been used before. It emphasizes the freshness and untouched state of the product, suggesting it has just been manufactured or acquired.

Why do we say brand new instead of new?

We say “brand new” to stress the novelty of an item beyond merely being new. It implies that the item has just left the factory or store, retaining its original packaging and quality, untouched by prior use or wear.

What type of word is “brand new”?

“Brand new” is an open compound noun, which refers to something completely new or unused.

About the author

 Chris Edwards is an English Language Coach with over 10 years of experience in teaching and mentoring students in English grammar and the correct usage of English words. He has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics, and has a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)