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 entry 1

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

Cooler temps and far less humidity than in summer make fall the ideal time to visit, and if the evenings get a bit brisk, there’s always a glass of bourbon to take the chill away. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2026

Fall in Europe brings with it brisk temperatures that make sightseeing an utter joy, thinner crowds that leave room for locals, and an opportunity to experience cities in their most authentic light. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

The Philadelphia-Jacksonville game is the more expensive of the two, and its brisk sales seemingly point to the popularity of the Eagles. — Ken Maguire, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

But among people taking fewer than 7,500 steps a day, maintaining a brisker pace for at least 30 minutes a day was associated with a progressively lower risk of death from any cause. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 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