brio \ˈbrē(ˌ)ō\noun (-s) Etymology: Italian, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish brīg strength, virtue, Welsh bri repute, Cornish bry worth, Middle Breton bri regard : vivacity, spirit, fire < the rector sang with such brio — Christopher Morley > < driving with the brio of a Paris taxi-driver — J.M.O'Brien > — see con brio