brief

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Lasting only a short time.

   They had a brief stay in the country before moving on.

2. 2
   adj

   Using only a few words; short.

   His speech was brief but moving.

3. 3
   verb

   To give someone the information they need before they do something.

   The reporters were briefed about the new plan before the meeting.

Common collocations

• brief moment Adjective + noun
• brief conversation Adjective + noun
• brief mention Adjective + noun
• brief stay Adjective + noun
• brief visit Adjective + noun

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.

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