Brainstorm
What it means
To generate and explore many possible ideas, often with other people.
Reach for it when describing an open early stage of problem solving
The volunteers brainstorm ways to make the evening classes easier to reach.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional | |
| formal |
-
playful
Fits when ordinary constraints are intentionally suspended
Careful Blue-sky thinking can ignore feasibility longer than the task allows.
-
playful
think up
Fits when casual language fits individual invention
Careful Think up sounds solitary and may imply one quick answer.
-
everyday
generate ideas
Fits when plain wording should describe the output directly
Careful The phrase misses brainstorming's open group energy.
-
professional
ideate
Fits when design or innovation work needs a concise process term
Careful Ideate is jargon and may irritate a general audience.
-
professional
workshop
Fits when a group develops ideas through structured exercises
Careful Workshop implies a facilitated process, not spontaneous idea generation.
-
formal
explore options
Fits when possibilities are compared without premature commitment
Careful Exploring options may begin after the ideas already exist.
Opposites 3
- dismiss ideas
- fixate
- shut down discussion
Common phrases 3
-
brainstorm ideas
The pupils brainstorm ideas before choosing one prototype.
-
brainstorm solutions
Residents brainstorm solutions with the drainage engineers.
-
brainstorm together
The two shifts brainstorm together before the handover.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Wodencafe, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated