brief
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.lasting for only a short time.
adj.of short duration; occurring or lasting for a limited period.
Simple“The president made a brief appearance at the party before leaving for a meeting.”
In context“The CEO offered a brief statement to the press, refusing to take questions regarding the ongoing merger negotiations.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.using only a few words to explain something.
adj.concise or succinct in expression; using few words to convey a message.
Simple“Please keep your emails brief so that I can read them quickly.”
In context“The report was admirably brief, distilling complex financial data into three clear and actionable bullet points.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to give someone the specific information or instructions they need for a task.
v.to instruct or inform someone thoroughly but concisely in preparation for a task or mission.
Simple“The captain will brief the crew on the safety procedures before we depart.”
In context“The intelligence officer spent the morning briefing the diplomatic team on the potential security risks of the upcoming summit.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a set of instructions or the specific job you are asked to do.
n.a specific set of instructions or a defined area of responsibility given to a person or group.
Simple“The architect's brief was to design a modern house that felt traditional.”
In context“The committee's brief is to investigate the causes of the flood and suggest preventative measures for the future.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
n.a written document that explains why one side should win a court case.
n.a written legal argument presented to a court to persuade the judge of a particular position.
Simple“The lawyer spent all night writing the legal brief for the trial.”
In context“The appellate court requested a supplemental brief addressing the constitutional implications of the new legislation.”
Synonyms - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.short, tight-fitting underwear.
n.short, snug-fitting underpants without legs.
Simple“He packed three pairs of cotton briefs for the weekend trip.”
In context“The athlete preferred wearing performance briefs under his running shorts to prevent chafing during long-distance training sessions.”
UsageUsually used in the plural form.
Synonymsunderpantsknickers
Usage brief bursts · brief period
“Some studies treat biphasic sleep as one long sleep plus a brief nap; others count only two equal periods; there is no agreed definition.”
“For a few brief days, the astronauts have transported millions around the world away from planet Earth - and let us ride along with them.”