brisk

1 of 2

adjective

1
: keenly alert : lively
a brisk old lady with no nonsense about herJean Stafford
2
a
: pleasingly tangy
brisk tea
b
: fresh, invigorating
a brisk autumn day
3
: sharp in tone or manner
was very brisk on the phone
4
a
: energetic, quick
took a brisk walk
at a brisk pace
b
: marked by much activity
business was brisk
briskly adverb
briskness noun

brisk

2 of 2

verb

brisked; brisking; brisks

transitive verb

: to make animated, energetic, or marked by much activity : to make brisk

intransitive verb

: to become brisk
usually used with up
business brisked up

Examples of brisk in a Sentence

Adjective She answered the phone in a brisk voice. They went for a brisk walk in the woods. She walked at a brisk pace. Business is brisk at the store. There is a brisk market in old movie posters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
These activities include bicycling, brisk walking, dancing, and swimming.21 Manage your stress: Diabetes can impact your mental health. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 9 Mar. 2024 The result is more entertaining this time, though, because Glass fashions the premise into such a clever, brisk, and twisty story. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 Business is brisk This is how Ithaca is working to meet its climate goals – building by building until all 6,000 buildings eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions. Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 South winds are fairly brisk and help to keep temperatures from falling much. David Streit, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Boosting Physical Activity Regular physical activity means getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity. Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024 That brisk trade ended in 1978, when India, already concerned about depleting stocks, banned exports after learning the U.S. used some of the monkeys in military experiments during the Cold War arms race. Erika Fry, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2024 Leaving the close quarters, the Bruin understudies were directed to the stands to watch the varsity workout unfolding with precision from the first day, nonstop chatter from players on the court and a brisk tempo that reignited Walton. Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 One place that’s near and dear to my heart is Big Wave Bay Beach, a brisk 45-minute hike from my doorstep in Chai Wan. Kissa Castañeda, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
The flag and the extreme shift in my environment from humid deep-summer East Coast to brisk and cool saltwater breezes carrying the promise and vague threat of glaciers seemed to confirm it. Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023 As in all Taycans, a two-speed automatic transmission on the rear axle enables brisk off-the-line acceleration and more efficient high-speed cruising. Nelson Ireson, Car and Driver, 27 Apr. 2021 THE VIBE IS: brisk and professional, if borderline chaotic. Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit, 13 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brisk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably modification of Middle French brusque

Verb

verbal derivative of brisk entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of brisk was in 1560

Dictionary Entries Near brisk

Cite this Entry

“Brisk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brisk. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

brisk

adjective
ˈbrisk
1
: very active or alert : lively
2
: very refreshing
brisk autumn weather
3
: energetic, quick
a brisk pace
briskly adverb
briskness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on brisk

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