brief

Lasting only a short time.

• We had a brief meeting.
• After a brief pause, she opened the door.
• Their visit was brief but enjoyable.

Similar words: short, fleeting

Opposites: long, lengthy

Common phrases: a brief visit, a brief pause, a brief moment

Using few words to give information or explain something.

• Please keep your answer brief.
• She sent a brief message about the delay.
• His explanation was brief and easy to understand.

Similar words: short, concise

Opposites: lengthy, wordy

Common phrases: a brief summary, a brief explanation, keep something brief

Covering very little of the body because the clothing is short or small.

• She wore a brief skirt.
• His brief shorts left most of his legs bare.
• The dancers appeared in surprisingly brief costumes.

Similar words: skimpy, short

Common phrases: brief shorts, a brief skirt, a brief swimsuit

A short written or spoken report giving the main information about something.

• I read a brief about the flood.
• The editor asked for three news briefs by noon.
• She prepared a brief explaining the latest findings.

Similar words: report, summary

Common phrases: a news brief, a short brief, write a brief

Short, close-fitting underwear worn on the lower part of the body, usually called briefs.

• He wears cotton briefs.
• I bought three pairs of briefs yesterday.
• Are these briefs available in a larger size?

Similar words: underpants

Common phrases: cotton brief, brief underwear

In a few words, giving only the main points.

• In brief, the plan worked.
• She described the results in brief.
• The report sets out our main concerns in brief.

How to use it: in brief (In brief, we need more time.)

Common phrases: in brief, explain in brief

To give someone the main information they need before a task or decision.

• Please brief the team before lunch.
• She briefed me on the travel arrangements.
• Have the officers been briefed about the operation?

How to use it: brief someone on/about something (The manager briefed us on the new rules.)

Similar words: inform, update

Common phrases: brief someone, brief someone on something, brief the team, brief the president