'brio' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'brio', where 'brio' meant 'vivacity' or 'spirit'.

'brio' was borrowed into English from Italian in the late 18th to early 19th century, entering English usage primarily in musical and critical contexts and retaining its sense of spiritedness.

Initially, it meant 'vivacity or spirit' in Italian, and over time it has largely retained that meaning in English, often used to describe spirited performance.