brief

/bri:f/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
brief

The lawyer prepared a brief for the upcoming case.

Definition
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.)
brief

The lawyer prepared a brief for the upcoming case.

Adjective
  1. (of clothing) very short
    • an abbreviated swimsuit
    • a brief bikini
  2. concise and succinct
    • covered the matter in a brief statement
  3. of short duration or distance
    • a brief stay in the country
Noun
  1. a condensed written summary or abstract
  2. a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
Verb
  1. give essential information to someone
    • The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade