bro

What it means

1. 1.

   Brother; a male friend, or any man in direct address.

2. 2.

   Used sarcastically to a stranger who is being condescending — 'okay, bro' is not friendly.

3. 3.

   A type: the fratty, gym-going, sports-watching young man. 'Bro culture' is always critical.

   Which sense applies is set by tone and by whether the speaker knows the addressee.

In use

• Thanks bro, I owe you.

• Okay bro, whatever you say.

  Note: Dismissive. Unmistakable in speech.

Where it comes from

Shortened from brother, with its modern spread owing much to AAVE. It has since generated a family of forms — bruh, bruv, brah — each with its own regional and social flavour.

Other forms

Spellings and variants:

bruh, brah