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Added 29 September 2026

brief

/ˈbɹiːf/ adjective

Categories: Describing WordsEveryday Words

In Latin: brevis Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about brief at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. Of short duration; happening quickly. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
    Her reign was brief but spectacular.
  2. Concise; taking few words.
    His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.
  3. Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.

noun

  1. A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate. A short papal letter.
  2. A short papal letter.
  3. An answer to any action.

verb

  1. To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.
    The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability.
  2. To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.

adverb

  1. Briefly.
  2. Soon; quickly.

Origin

From Middle English breef, breve, bref, from Old French brief, bref, from Latin brevis (“short”), from Proto-Indo-European *mréǵʰus (“short, brief”). Doublet of breve and merry.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: abbreviatedconciseshortlittlemomentimmediatefleetingshort-livedtransientephemeraltemporary

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