brief

1 of 3

adjective

ˈbrēf 

1

: short in duration, extent, or length

a brief meeting

2

a

: concise

gave a brief description of events

promises to be brief

b

: curt, abrupt

briefness noun

brief

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: an official letter or mandate (see mandate entry 1 sense 1)

especially, Roman Catholicism : a papal letter less formal than a bull

b

: a specific instruction or responsibility

his brief was to strengthen the army

2

a

: a concise article (as in a newspaper)

a news brief

b

: synopsis, summary

c

law : a concise statement of a client's case made out for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk

3

: an outline of an argument

especially, law : a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence

a legal brief

filed a brief

4

briefs plural [brief entry 1] : short snug pants or underpants

wearing briefs

brief

3 of 3

verb

briefed; briefing; briefs

transitive verb

1

: to make an abstract or abridgment of

brief a report

summarized northeastern Siberian archaeology and has briefed many normally unavailable sources

—Wendell Oswalt

2

a

: to give final precise instructions to

were briefed before their mission

b

: to coach thoroughly in advance

c

: to give essential information to

The president is being briefed by his advisors.

3

: to discuss (something, such as a military operation) in a briefing

briefed the mission

briefer noun

Phrases

in brief

: in a few words : briefly

today's news in brief

Synonyms

Adjective

• aphoristic
• apothegmatic
• capsule
• compact
• compendious
• concise
• crisp
• curt
• elliptical
• elliptic
• epigrammatic
• laconic
• monosyllabic
• pithy
• sententious
• succinct
• summary
• telegraphic
• terse
• thumbnail

Noun

• abstract
• breviary
• capsule
• conspectus
• digest
• encapsulation
• epitome
• inventory
• outline
• précis
• recap
• recapitulation
• résumé
• resume
• resumé
• roundup
• run-through
• rundown
• sum
• sum-up
• summa
• summarization
• summary
• summing-up
• synopsis
• wrap-up

Verb

• acquaint
• advise
• apprise
• catch up
• clear
• clue (in)
• enlighten
• familiarize
• fill in
• hip
• inform
• instruct
• tell
• verse
• wise (up)

Examples of brief in a Sentence

Adjective

The meeting will be brief.

The essay is brief but thorough enough.

a few brief words of caution

Noun

Her brief is to manage the company's sales department.

a one-page brief of the intelligence report

Verb

The captain briefed the crew on the new safety procedures.

The President has been briefed by his advisers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

India is emerging after a brief conflict with Pakistan, with a ceasefire thankfully appearing to hold for now. —Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

Just a brief walk from the preserve’s entrance, this unique grotto reveals a stunning 50-foot waterfall cascading into a jade-green pool. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025

Noun

In some ways, their most valuable core skill is reading between the lines to figure out what was not in the brief. —Andrew Allen, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Over the past three decades, the average retirement age has risen by about three years, economist Alicia Munnell reports in an April research brief. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 May 2025

Verb

However, Trump administration officials are trying to lower expectations about the potential outcomes of this weekend’s talks in Geneva, according to senior administration officials briefed on the plans. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Instead, the news agency reported Fetterman's demeanor quickly unraveled, citing individuals briefed on the meeting. —James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English bref, breve, from Anglo-French bref, brief, from Latin brevis; akin to Old High German murg short, Greek brachys

Noun

Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis brief entry 1

Verb

verbal derivative of brief entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brief

• a brief word
• hold a brief for
• in brief
• keeping a watching brief
• watching brief

Rhymes for brief

• beef
• chief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef
• reif
• seif
• sheaf
• thief
• belief

Kids Definition

brief

1 of 3 adjective

ˈbrēf 

: not very long : short

briefly adverb

briefness noun

brief

2 of 3 noun

1

: a brief statement of the case a lawyer will present in court

2

plural : short snug underpants

brief

3 of 3 verb

: to give information or instructions to

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English bref, breve "short, brief," from early French brief, bref (same meaning), from Latin brevis "short" — related to breve

Noun

Middle English bref "formal letter," from early French bref (same meaning), derived from Latin brevis "summary," from earlier brevis (adjective) "short, brief"

Legal Definition

brief

1 of 2 noun

1

: a concise statement of a client's case written for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk

called also memorandum

2

: a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence

Note: Briefs are filed either by a party or an amicus curiae with a court usually regarding a specific motion (as for summary judgment) or point of law.

brief

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to write a brief concerning (a motion or question of law)

Etymology

Noun

Old French bref, brief letter, writ indicating legal proceedings, from Late Latin brevis, breve short document, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective, short