brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "brief" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe something that is short in duration, duration, or importance. For example: She gave me a brief description of the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you have a dilemma, send a brief email to [email protected].

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One brief, unmitigated disaster later, Rangers were returning to the man who self-evidently could not win the trophy they most covet.

The Guardian - Sport

His satellite tags had provided vivid new information of the remarkable distances travelled by these unpredictable predators during their brief lives.

The Guardian

It could be a brief Open for Johnson.

The Guardian - Sport

Brenda Achao's surprise phone call was brief: she was graduating in commerce from Uganda's prestigious Makerere University the following week and planned to throw a party in her home village in Katine.

The Guardian

Wes Hoolahan converted the second-half penalty after the centre-back was dismissed for deliberate handball and, despite a brief fightback by gallant Ipswich Town, Norwich regained the lead and now they are on their way to Wembley.

The Guardian - Sport

Confrontations like Sheehan's are "a pretty typical situation that happens across the country these days", said Ron Honberg, director of policy and legal affairs at the National Alliance for Mental Illness (Nami), which filed a brief supporting her suit.

The Guardian

Salmond sent the former BBC Scotland news executive Blair Jenkins, soon to be Yes Scotland's chief executive but then only a yes vote supporter, to brief the press, yet was unable to answer any key questions about its policies, structure or plans.

The Guardian

The hospital released brief statements from the families of Washington and Pugh.

The Guardian - Travel

I want the people fighting the corner for theatre, visual arts, music and museums to have had a taste of the unique thrills and frustrations of the creative sectors, to have witnessed first-hand the extraordinary way the arts affect individuals and communities – and ideally before they take up the brief and attempt to get up to speed (as Jarvis has been doing recently).

The Guardian

When taking up the education brief last month Teather said she wanted to spend time in the classroom.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brief", ensure the context clarifies whether you mean short in duration or concise in content.

Common error

Avoid making something so "brief" that it lacks essential information or context. Ensure sufficient detail is included despite the brevity.

Linguistic Context

The word "brief" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something of short duration or conciseness. Ludwig shows its prevalent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief" is a versatile adjective that means short in duration or concise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various domains, including news, business, and science. When using "brief", consider whether you intend to convey shortness of time or conciseness of content. Alternatives like "short" or "concise" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to express. Be mindful of maintaining adequate detail even when aiming for brevity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short

Focuses on the limited length of something, similar to "brief".

concise

Emphasizes the use of few words, akin to a "brief" summary.

fleeting

Highlights the quick or transient nature of something, like a "brief" moment.

ephemeral

Indicates something that lasts for a very short time, similar to "brief".

abbreviated

Suggests a shortened or condensed version, like a "brief" report.

summary

Refers to a condensed version of something, conveying the same meaning as "brief".

cursory

Implies a quick and superficial examination, similar to a "brief" look.

succinct

Stresses the clearness and precision of expression, much like being "brief".

momentary

Indicates something lasting only for a moment, synonymous to "brief".

terse

Focuses on being short and to the point, much like a "brief" response.

FAQs

How to use "brief" in a sentence?

You can use "brief" to describe something short in duration, like a "brief" meeting, or something concise, like a "brief" summary.

What can I say instead of "brief"?

You can use alternatives like "short", "concise", or "fleeting" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "brief summary" or "short summary"?

Both "brief summary" and "short summary" are correct, but "brief summary" emphasizes conciseness while "short summary" emphasizes length.

What's the difference between "brief" and "terse"?

"Brief" means short in duration or concise. "Terse" implies being short to the point of being rude. Use "terse" when conveying bluntness, not just brevity.