ENGLISH
REFERENCE

briefly

adv.
US //ˈbɹifɫi// UK //bɹˈiːfli// briefly
  1. 1 for a short time (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    for a very short period of time.

    lasting for a short duration; used to describe events or states that do not persist.

    Example

    We stopped briefly in Paris on our way to the south of France.

    Example

    The lights flickered briefly during the storm, but the backup generator kicked in before the building lost power entirely.
  2. 2 using few words (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    using only a few words to explain something.

    in a concise or summary manner; expressing the main points without unnecessary detail.

    Example

    The manager spoke briefly about the new rules before the shift started.

    Example

    The report outlines the findings briefly, focusing on the primary causes of the equipment failure rather than the minor technical details.
    • lengthily
    • wordily
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  1. 3 to summarize (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    you use this to introduce a short summary of what you are about to say.

    used as a sentence adverb to introduce a concise summary or conclusion.

    Example

    Briefly, the plan is to sell the house and move to the coast.

    Example

    Briefly, the proposed legislation aims to reduce carbon emissions by incentivising the transition to renewable energy sources across the industrial sector.
    • in short
    • to sum up
Origin

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

Word family

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