WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
brief•ly /ˈbrifli/USA pronunciation
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- happening or done in a short period of time:She smiled briefly at him.
- using few words:He spoke briefly and then returned to his room.
brief•ly
(brēf′lē),USA pronunciation adv.
- for a short duration:He stopped over briefly in Chicago.
- in a few words:Let me explain briefly.
- in a brief manner;
quickly or brusquely:She nodded briefly and began to speak.
- 1250–1300; Middle English; see brief, -ly
'briefly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Charles III
- DiMaggio
- Henry VI
- Rump Parliament
- Sabattier effect
- advert
- allude
- appearance
- baked Alaska
- blanch
- bloater
- brush
- café brûlot
- come
- cross
- dip
- duck
- ejaculate
- eye
- faddist
- fast buck
- fine
- flash
- flashcard
- flasher
- flashing
- glance
- gleam
- glimpse
- granulation
- gull wing
- hang
- indicate
- jot
- look
- mention
- mirth
- momentarily
- nepman
- nod
- note
- nutshell
- occulting light
- over easy
- overcloud
- peekaboo
- peep
- pop
- port of call
- raise