What does "brief" mean?
A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
Brief
/bɹiːf/ adj, adv, noun, verb, slang
adj, adv, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
- Grammar: brief is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abbreviated, abbreviated, abbreviation, abbreviature.
- Useful contrasts: agonising, broad extent, chronic.
- Usage evidence: In brief, you should have accepted the responsibility.
How to use "brief"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "brief" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "brief" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "brief" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "brief" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "brief" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abbreviated" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "brief", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
- 2 a condensed written summary or abstract wordnet
- 3 A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.; A short papal letter.
"It was in vain that the bishop published a new papal brief, declaring valid the excommunications which he had issued, and those of the inquisitors to be null, and requiring them to seek absolution from him."
- 4 a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case wordnet
- 5 An answer to any action.
"A written answer or any other brief shall be submitted to the court while allowing a period necessary for the opponent to make preparations with regard to the matters stated therein."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
- 7 A position of interest or advocacy. broadly, figuratively
"Mrs. Hope was, we believe, a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, and neither she nor her editor conceals the fact that they hold a brief for the Pope and for Catharine against Henry VIII."
- 8 An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
- 9 The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who is counsel for the case. English
- 10 A barrister who is counsel for a party in a legal action. English, slang
- 11 A short news story or report.
"We got a news brief."
- 12 Underwear briefs. plural-normally
"I wear boxer shorts under trousers but for sports I usually wear a brief."
- 13 Swimming briefs. plural-normally
- 14 A summary, précis or epitome; an abridgement or abstract. obsolete
"[…] euen ſo it fareth with mee, who béeing about to anatomize Abſurditie, am vrged to take a view of ſundry mens vanitie, a ſuruey of their follie, a briefe of their barbariſme […]"
- 15 A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose. UK, historical
- 16 A ticket of any type. slang
Verb
- 1 To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power. transitive
"The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability."
- 2 give essential information to someone wordnet
- 3 To write a legal argument and submit it to a court. transitive
Adjective
- 1 Of short duration; happening quickly.
"Her reign was brief but spectacular."
- 2 Concise; taking few words.
"His speech of acceptance was brief but moving."
- 3 Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.
"Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool."
- 4 Rife; common; prevalent. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 concise and succinct wordnet
- 2 (of clothing) very short wordnet
- 3 of short duration or distance wordnet
Adverb
- 1 Briefly. obsolete, poetic
"Whence Adam faultring long, thus anſwer’d brief."
- 2 Soon; quickly. obsolete, poetic
"But that a ioy paſt ioy, calls out on me, / It were a griefe, to briefe to part with thee : / Farewell."
Example
"In brief, you should have accepted the responsibility."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "brief"?
Common synonyms include: abbreviated, abbreviated, abbreviation, abbreviature, abrege, abridge.
How do you use "brief" in a sentence?
In brief, you should have accepted the responsibility.
How do you pronounce "brief"?
Pronounced /bɹiːf/.
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.