briefness

UK: /ˈbriːfnɪs/

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

brief /brif/   adj., -er, -est, n., v. 
adj. 

1. lasting or taking a short time:
   We took a brief pause from the meeting.
2. using few words;
   short;
   concise:
   Write a brief outline.
3. Clothing very short or small in fit;
   scanty:
   a brief bathing suit.

n. [countable]

4. a short statement or a written item using few words:
   Please prepare a brief for the president.
5. Law a written statement given to a court by a lawyer presenting the most important facts, points of law, and arguments.
6. Clothing briefs, [plural] close-fitting legless underpants with an elastic waistband:
   a pair of briefs.

v. [~ + object]

7. to instruct (someone) or give relevant information to:
   I briefed the new teacher.

Idioms

8. Idioms in brief, in a few words;
   in short:
   What you are saying, in brief, is that we're broke.

brief•er, n. 

[countable] The president's briefers and press secretaries met ahead of time.

See -brev-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

brief  (brēf ), adj., -er, -est, n., v. 
adj. 

1. lasting or taking a short time;
   of short duration:
   a brief walk; a brief stay in the country.
2. using few words;
   concise;
   succinct:
   a brief report on weather conditions.
3. abrupt or curt.
4. Clothing scanty:
   a brief bathing suit.

n. 

5. a short and concise statement or written item.
6. an outline, the form of which is determined by set rules, of all the possible arguments and information on one side of a controversy:
   a debater's brief.
7. Law
   • a writ summoning one to answer to any action.
   • a memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
   • a written argument submitted to a court.
   • (in England) the material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
8. an outline, summary, or synopsis, as of a book.
9. Clothing briefs, (used with a pl. v.) close-fitting, legless underpants with an elastic waistband.
10. briefing.
11. [Rom. Cath. Ch.] a papal letter less formal than a bull, sealed with the pope's signet ring or stamped with the device borne on this ring.
12. British Terms [Theat. Brit.] a free ticket;
    pass.
13. [Obs.] a letter.
14. Idioms hold a brief for, to support or defend by argument;
    endorse.
15. Idioms in brief, in a few words;
    in short:
    The supervisor outlined in brief the duties of the new assistant.

v.t. 

16. to make an abstract or summary of.
17. to instruct by a brief or briefing:
    They brief all the agents before assigning them.
18. Law to retain as advocate in a suit.

• Latin brevis short; see breve
• Anglo-French, Old French
• Middle English bref 1250–1300

brief′er, n. 
brief′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. short-lived, fleeting, transitory, ephemeral, transient. See short. 
• 2. terse, compact, pithy, condensed.
• 5. outline, précis, epitome, abstract. See summary. 
• 16. summarize, outline.