brief
BREEF
Brief (adj) means lasting only a short time. Example: “They exchanged a brief greeting before rushing off.”
adj
1
Lasting only a short time.
"They exchanged a brief greeting before rushing off."
"There was a brief pause before the applause began."
"Her visit was brief, but everyone remembered how kind she had been."
2
Using few words; concise.
"Please keep your answers brief and to the point."
"His reply to my email was brief: just two words and a smile."
"I'll be brief, because I know you all want to go home."
noun
1
A set of instructions or a summary given to someone before they carry out a task.
"The design team was given a brief to create a new logo."
"Marketing sent over the campaign brief this morning."
"The client's brief asked for a friendly, modern website that loads quickly."
2
A document summarizing the facts and legal arguments of a case, or (UK) the case papers given to a barrister.
"The solicitor prepared the brief for the barrister ahead of the trial."
"The barrister read the brief carefully on the train the night before court."
"She was handed a brief about a long dispute over a boundary fence."
verb
1
To give someone a concise summary of a situation before they act.
"The general briefed his officers on the plan of attack."
"The nurse briefed the night shift on how each patient was doing."
"Before the meeting, my manager briefed me on what the visitors wanted."
How to use brief
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort in time or words, or (as a noun) a set of instructions/summary given before a task or legal case.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the adjective "brief" (short) with "briefs" (the underwear) — related in origin but very different in use.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a brief pause
brief someone on
design brief
hold a briefing
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Word forms
- Plural
- briefs
- Third person singular
- briefs
- Past tense
- briefed
- Comparative
- briefer, more brief
- Superlative
- briefest, most brief
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They exchanged a _____ greeting before rushing off.
Etymology
From Old French brief, ultimately from Latin brevis ("short") — the same root that gives us "abbreviate" and "brevity".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brief
See all rhymes for brief →Frequently asked questions
What does “brief” mean?
The word “brief” means lasting only a short time. In plain terms, short in time or words, or (as a noun) a set of instructions/summary given before a task or legal case.
How do you pronounce “brief”?
“Brief” is pronounced BREEF (/ˈbɹiːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “brief” in a sentence?
Here is “brief” used in a sentence: “They exchanged a brief greeting before rushing off.”
What part of speech is “brief”?
Depending on how it is used, “brief” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “brief” come from?
The word “brief” comes from Latin. From Old French brief, ultimately from Latin brevis ("short") — the same root that gives us "abbreviate" and "brevity".
Is “brief” a common word?
“Brief” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “brief” have?
“Brief” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lasting only a short time.
What is the difference between "brief" and "briefs"?
"Brief" is an adjective meaning short-lived or concise, as in a brief meeting. "Briefs" is a plural noun with separate meanings — close-fitting underwear, or written legal summaries prepared for a court. Although they share a root, they work differently in a sentence and are not interchangeable.
What is the opposite of brief?
When brief describes duration, its main opposites are long, lengthy, and prolonged. Other antonyms include extended and drawn-out. If brief is being used to mean concise, opposites such as detailed or wordy fit better. A brief pause naturally contrasts with a long, lingering delay.
Is "brief" formal or informal?
Brief is neutral and works comfortably in both formal and casual settings. You might mention a brief chat with a friend or note a brief statement in an official report. It carries no strong tone of its own, which makes it a versatile, everyday adjective for anything short-lived.
What is an example of brief?
A brief shower might last only a few minutes before the sun returns. Someone could make a brief appearance at a party, staying just long enough to say hello, or send a brief reply of a single line. Each shows brief meaning short-lived rather than lasting.
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