adj

brief

BREEF

adj

Lasting only a short time.

"They exchanged a brief greeting before rushing off."

"There was a brief pause before the applause began."

Using few words; concise.

"Please keep your answers brief and to the point."

noun

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."

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."

verb

To give someone a concise summary of a situation before they act.

"The general briefed his officers on the plan of attack."

How to Use Brief

Learner’s notes

In 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

briefs →

Common pairings

a brief pause brief someone on design brief hold a briefing

Word Forms

briefer comparative, more brief comparative, more brief comparative, briefed past tense, briefs plural, briefs singular, briefest superlative, most brief superlative, most brief superlative

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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".

Rhymes for brief

fief thief chief grief belief relief debrief mischief kerchief disbelief handkerchief

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