brisk

¹brisk

adjective \ˈbrisk\

Definition of BRISK

1

: keenly alert : lively

2

a : pleasingly tangy <brisk tea>

b : fresh, invigorating <brisk weather>

3

: sharp in tone or manner

4

a : energetic, quick <a brisk pace>

b : marked by much activity <business was brisk>

— brisk·ly adverb

— brisk·ness noun

Examples of BRISK

1. She answered the phone in a brisk voice.
2. They went for a brisk walk in the woods.
3. She walked at a brisk pace.
4. Business is brisk at the store.
5. There is a brisk market in old movie posters.

Origin of BRISK

probably modification of Middle French brusque

First Known Use: 1560

Related to BRISK

Synonyms

active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, lively, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pert, pizzazzy (or pizazzy), racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy

Antonyms

dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid

Related Words

dapper, dashing, spiffy; agog, alert, awake, open-eyed, up, wide-awake; agile, nimble, spry; bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, chirrupy, effervescent, sparkly, upbeat; eager, enthusiastic, keen; frolicsome, impish, pixieish, playful; boisterous, bubbly, ebullient, exuberant, high-spirited; high-strung, nervous, skittish

Near Antonyms

indolent, lazy, unambitious; inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, tired, torpid, weary; apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, stolid; boring, dull, irksome, tedious

Rhymes with BRISK

bisque, disk, fisc, frisk, risk, whisk

²brisk

verb

Definition of BRISK

transitive verb

: to make brisk

intransitive verb

: to become brisk —usually used with up <business brisked up>

First Known Use of BRISK

1598