brief
/bri:f/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Short in time or duration: Lasting for only a short period.
- Concise in expression: Using few words; succinct.
- Short in length or extent: Covering a small distance or area.
Noun:
- A concise summary or abstract: A short written statement of the main facts or points.
- A legal document: A written document submitted to a court, stating the facts of a case and the legal arguments supporting one side.
- Instructions or information: A set of instructions or preparatory information given to someone, especially before a task.
Verb:
- To inform or instruct concisely: To give someone essential information or instructions in a short, clear manner.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- We had a brief meeting to discuss the main points. (Our meeting was short in duration.)
- Please keep your answer brief and to the point. (Please make your answer concise.)
- She wore a brief skirt. (The skirt was short in length.)
Noun:
- The lawyer prepared a brief for the upcoming trial. (The lawyer prepared a legal document outlining the case.)
- Here is a brief of the report's conclusions. (Here is a summary of the report.)
- The pilot received a pre-flight brief. (The pilot received preparatory instructions.)
Verb:
- The manager will brief the team on the new project. (The manager will inform the team about the new project.)
- Journalists were briefed by the official spokesperson. (Journalists were given essential information by the spokesperson.)
Advanced Usage
"In brief": As a short summary; to summarize.
- The manager explained the situation in brief. (The manager gave a concise summary of the situation.)
"To hold a brief for": To argue in favor of or defend a particular person, cause, or idea.
- I don't hold a brief for either side; I'm just stating the facts. (I am not defending either side.)
Variants and Related Words
Briefly (adverb): For a short time; in a few words.
- He spoke briefly about his experience. (He spoke for a short time/concise manner.)
Briefing (noun): A meeting for giving information or instructions.
- The team attended a security briefing. (The team attended an instructional meeting.)
Briefcase (noun): A flat, rectangular case for carrying documents.
- He carried important papers in his briefcase.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Short, concise, succinct, abbreviated, fleeting.
- Noun: Summary, synopsis, abstract, memorandum.
- Verb: Inform, instruct, update, apprise.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Brief someone on/in something: To give someone detailed information or instructions about something.
- She briefed the new employee on the company's policies. (She informed the new employee about the policies.)
Related Idioms
- To make a long story brief: To tell something concisely, omitting details.
- To make a long story brief, we decided to cancel the trip. (To summarize a long story, we canceled.)
Adjective
- (of clothing) very short
- an abbreviated swimsuit
- a brief bikini
- concise and succinct
- covered the matter in a brief statement
- of short duration or distance
- a brief stay in the country
Noun
- a condensed written summary or abstract
- a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
Verb
- give essential information to someone
- The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade