brief

[ breef ]

adjective

, brief·er, brief·est.

1. lasting or taking a short time; of short duration:

   a brief walk; a brief stay in the country.

   Synonyms: transient, ephemeral, transitory, fleeting, short-lived

2. using few words; concise; succinct:

   a brief report on weather conditions.

   Synonyms: condensed, pithy, compact, terse

3. abrupt or curt.
4. scanty:

   a brief bathing suit.

noun

1. a short and concise statement or written item.

   Synonyms: abstract, epitome, précis, outline

2. an outline, the form of which is determined by set rules, of all the possible arguments and information on one side of a controversy:

   a debater's brief.

3. Law.
   1. a writ summoning one to answer to any action.
   2. a memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
   3. a written argument submitted to a court.
   4. (in England) the material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
4. an outline, summary, or synopsis, as of a book.
5. briefs, (used with a plural verb) close-fitting, legless underpants with an elastic waistband.
6. a briefing.
7. Roman Catholic Church. a papal letter less formal than a bull, sealed with the pope's signet ring or stamped with the device borne on this ring.
8. British Theater. a free ticket; pass.
9. Obsolete. a letter.

verb (used with object)

1. to make an abstract or summary of.

   Synonyms: outline, summarize

2. to instruct by a brief or briefing:

   They brief all the agents before assigning them.

3. Law. to retain as advocate in a suit.

brief

/ briːf /

adjective

1. short in duration

   a brief holiday

2. short in length or extent; scanty

   a brief bikini

3. abrupt in manner; brusque

   the professor was brief with me this morning

4. terse or concise; containing few words

   he made a brief statement

noun

1. a condensed or short statement or written synopsis; abstract
2. law a document containing all the facts and points of law of a case by which a solicitor instructs a barrister to represent a client
3. RC Church a letter issuing from the Roman court written in modern characters, as contrasted with a papal bull; papal brief
4. short for briefing
5. a paper outlining the arguments and information on one side of a debate
6. slang.
   a lawyer, esp a barrister
7. hold a brief for
   to argue for; champion
8. in brief
   in short; to sum up

verb

1. to prepare or instruct by giving a summary of relevant facts
2. to make a summary or synopsis of
3. English law
   1. to instruct (a barrister) by brief
   2. to retain (a barrister) as counsel
4. intrfoll byagainst to supply potentially damaging or negative information regarding somone, as to the media, a politician, etc See also briefs

Derived Forms

• ˈbriefness, noun
• ˈbriefly, adverb

Other Words From

• briefer noun
• briefness noun
• un·brief adjective
• un·briefly adverb
• un·briefness noun
• un·briefed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brief¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin brevis “short”; breve

Word History and Origins

Origin of brief¹

C14: from Old French bref , from Latin brevis ; related to Greek brakhus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hold a brief for, to support or defend by argument; endorse.
2. in brief, in a few words; in short:

   The supervisor outlined in brief the duties of the new assistant.

More idioms and phrases containing brief

see hold no brief for ; in brief .

Synonym Study

See short. See summary.

Example Sentences

He has no prosecutorial experience, and his only legal experience was a brief stint in private practice.

From Los Angeles Times

He played one season in 2016 before being released by the Lions and had brief stints with several other American football teams.

From BBC

She accepted they had a "brief relationship" between March and June 2022, the panel heard.

From BBC

Hand-to-hand sales enjoyed a brief revival, but more so in small towns and rural areas.

From Salon

A brief yearly silence has once again enveloped South Korea, as half a million students across the country sit for the most important test of their lives.

From BBC

Related Words

• concise
• fleeting
• momentary
• quick
• short-lived
• swift
• temporary