noun
C2
Proficient
brevity
BREV-ih-tee
Brevity (noun) means the quality of using few words; concise and economical expression. Example: “Her emails are admired for their brevity.”
noun
1
The quality of using few words; concise and economical expression.
"Her emails are admired for their brevity."
"For the sake of brevity I have left out the technical detail."
2
Shortness of duration.
"The brevity of the visit surprised everyone."
"Given the brevity of the season, tickets sold out at once."
How to use brevity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishKeeping things short.
When to use it
Formal to neutral; common in writing about style, editing and public speaking.
Memory tip
Brevity is about length. Clarity is about being understood, and the two do not always go together.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
for the sake of brevity
admirable brevity
brevity of life
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Etymology
From Latin brevitas, from brevis meaning short.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for brevity
See all rhymes for brevity →Frequently asked questions
What does brevity is the soul of wit mean?
The line is spoken by Polonius in Shakespeare's Hamlet, and means that intelligence and humour are sharpest when expressed briefly. It is quoted, usually as gentle criticism, to tell someone they are going on too long.
What is the difference between brevity and concision?
Brevity is simply shortness, whether or not anything is lost. Concision means saying everything necessary in as few words as possible, so it implies that nothing important was cut. A concise piece is always brief; a brief piece is not always concise.
What is the meaning of brevity?
"brevity" (noun) means the quality of using few words; concise and economical expression.
What is another word for brevity?
Other words for "brevity" include conciseness, succinctness, terseness, economy, pithiness, transience.
