brisk

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrisk 

1

: keenly alert : lively

… a brisk old lady with no nonsense about her …

—Jean 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

Synonyms of brisk

Adjective

• lively
• energetic
• animated
• active
• animate
• spirited

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

Founded by Guan, a Central Saint Martins graduate, DOSIS G6C does a brisk international trade online and has a flagship inside London's historic Royal Arcade in Mayfair, one of the British capital's most prestigious retail destinations. — Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

But compared to Four Tet’s largely downbeat 2024 album Three, the new record keeps the tempos brisk and the energy high. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

People in the nation's fittest cities are more likely to take brisk walks or routinely hit the gym. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Between Sandoval’s 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball and a stupendous collective effort by the Boston bullpen, the Red Sox completed a 2-1 victory and series sweep of the White Sox in a brisk two hours and 32 minutes. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026

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

Rhymes for brisk

• bisque
• disc
• disk
• fisc
• fisk
• frisk
• risk
• whisk
• basilisk
• obelisk
• videodisc

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