brevity

UK: /ˈbrɛvɪti/ US: /ˈbrɛvɪti/ ,(brev′i tē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

brev•i•ty /ˈbrɛvɪti/   n. [uncountable]

1. shortness (of speech, etc.);
   briefness:
   the brevity of life.

See-brev-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

brev•i•ty  (brev′i tē), n. 

1. shortness of time or duration;
   briefness:
   the brevity of human life.
2. the quality of expressing much in few words;
   terseness:
   Brevity is the soul of wit.

• Anglo-French brevite, Old French brievete. See brief, -ity
• 1500–10

Synonyms

• 2. compactness, succinctness, pithiness.
  Brevity, conciseness refer to the use of few words in speaking.
  Brevity emphasizes the short duration of speech:
  reduced to extreme brevity.
  Conciseness emphasizes compactness of expression:
  clear in spite of great conciseness.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. length.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

brevity / ˈbrɛvɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. conciseness of expression; lack of verbosity
2. a short duration; brief time

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin brevitās shortness, from brevis brief