Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Short in time or duration: Lasting for only a short period.
   • Concise in expression: Using few words; succinct.
   • Short in length or extent: Covering a small distance or area.

2. Noun:

   • A concise summary or abstract: A short written statement of the main facts or points.
   • A legal document: A written document submitted to a court, stating the facts of a case and the legal arguments supporting one side.
   • Instructions or information: A set of instructions or preparatory information given to someone, especially before a task.

3. Verb:

   • To inform or instruct concisely: To give someone essential information or instructions in a short, clear manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • We had a brief meeting to discuss the main points. (Our meeting was short in duration.)
  • Please keep your answer brief and to the point. (Please make your answer concise.)
  • She wore a brief skirt. (The skirt was short in length.)

• Noun:

  • The lawyer prepared a brief for the upcoming trial. (The lawyer prepared a legal document outlining the case.)
  • Here is a brief of the report's conclusions. (Here is a summary of the report.)
  • The pilot received a pre-flight brief. (The pilot received preparatory instructions.)

• Verb:

  • The manager will brief the team on the new project. (The manager will inform the team about the new project.)
  • Journalists were briefed by the official spokesperson. (Journalists were given essential information by the spokesperson.)

Advanced Usage

• "In brief": As a short summary; to summarize.

  • The manager explained the situation in brief. (The manager gave a concise summary of the situation.)

• "To hold a brief for": To argue in favor of or defend a particular person, cause, or idea.

  • I don't hold a brief for either side; I'm just stating the facts. (I am not defending either side.)

Variants and Related Words

• Briefly (adverb): For a short time; in a few words.

  • He spoke briefly about his experience. (He spoke for a short time/concise manner.)

• Briefing (noun): A meeting for giving information or instructions.

  • The team attended a security briefing. (The team attended an instructional meeting.)

• Briefcase (noun): A flat, rectangular case for carrying documents.

  • He carried important papers in his briefcase.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Short, concise, succinct, abbreviated, fleeting.
• Noun: Summary, synopsis, abstract, memorandum.
• Verb: Inform, instruct, update, apprise.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Brief someone on/in something: To give someone detailed information or instructions about something.
  • She briefed the new employee on the company's policies. (She informed the new employee about the policies.)

Related Idioms

• To make a long story brief: To tell something concisely, omitting details.
  • To make a long story brief, we decided to cancel the trip. (To summarize a long story, we canceled.)

Adjective

1. (of clothing) very short
   • an abbreviated swimsuit
   • a brief bikini
2. concise and succinct
   • covered the matter in a brief statement
3. of short duration or distance
   • a brief stay in the country

Noun

1. a condensed written summary or abstract
2. a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case

Verb

1. give essential information to someone
   • The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade