ENGLISH
REFERENCE

briefly

adv. time
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈbɹifɫi// UK //bɹˈiːfli// briefly General-service

adv. for a short time or using only a few words. You use this when you want to say something quickly without much detail.

adv. for a short duration or in a concise manner. Often used to introduce a summary or to describe a transient state.


SIMPLE

We spoke briefly before the meeting started.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager stopped by my desk briefly to congratulate me on the successful project launch.

COMPLEX

The author briefly touches upon the historical context of the era before diving into the specific biographical details of the protagonist's early life.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English breefly, breffly, brevely, brevelike, breveliche, equivalent to brief + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed before the main verb or at the end of a clause; can also appear at the start of a sentence to introduce a summary.

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