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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
One with brisk, cheerful, egalitarian service; comforting food at most hours of the day; and a convivial social atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to greet guests at the next table. Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Kirkland has continued to work at a brisk pace in recent years. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 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 See all Example Sentences for brisk 

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 5 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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