brief

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /bɹiːf/ See IPA manual

Freq #3767

Meanings

1

adj
Lasting only a short time.

They had a brief stay in the country before moving on.
2

adj
Using only a few words; short.

His speech was brief but moving.
3

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

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

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 adj · using only a few words; short. concise succinct

Word family

Forms briefedbrieferbriefestbriefingbriefs

Derived forms brief-bagbriefablebriefcasebriefenbriefiebriefishbrieflessbrieflybriefmanbriefnessbriefscounterbrief

Related forms brevi-breviticbrevitybriefing

Appears in

Phrases (5)

See all

brief moment
a very short period of time

Adjective + noun
brief conversation
a short talk lasting only a few minutes

Adjective + noun
brief mention
a short, passing reference to something

Adjective + noun
brief stay
a short visit or time spent somewhere

Adjective + noun
brief visit
A visit that lasts only a short time

Adjective + noun

Simplified etymology

Brief entered English in the Middle English period from Latin brevis, meaning “short.” It shares this root with abbreviate and the musical term breve. Briefs, or short underpants, were first worn in the 1930s.

Etymology

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.

*mreǵʰ- Proto-Indo-European breef Middle English brief Old French brevis Latin *mréǵʰus Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# brief

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** adj, verb
**IPA (US):** /bɹiːf/
**Frequency rank:** 3767

## Meanings
1. Lasting only a short time.
2. Using only a few words; short.
3. To give someone the information they need before they do something.

## Examples
- They had a brief stay in the country before moving on.
- His speech was brief but moving.
- The reporters were briefed about the new plan before the meeting.

## Derived Forms
- brief-bag
- briefable
- briefcase
- briefen
- briefie
- briefish
- briefless
- briefly
- briefman
- briefness
- briefs
- counterbrief

## Related Forms
- brevi-
- brevitic
- brevity
- briefing

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *mreǵʰ-
- Root: breef
- Root: brief
- Root: brevis
- Root: *mréǵʰus

## Etymology
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.

## AI Etymology
Brief comes 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.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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