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brief
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- pronunciation:
- brif
- parts of speech:
- adjective, noun, transitive verb
- phrases:
- hold a brief for
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective, noun, verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
briefer, briefest |
| definition 1: |
short in duration.
We had only a brief conversation because he was in a hurry.- synonyms:
- short, short-lived, transient, transitory
- antonyms:
- eternal, long
- similar words:
- ephemeral, fleeting, fugitive, impermanent, little, momentary, passing, temporal, temporary
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| definition 2: |
using the minimum number of words; terse or concise.
Please be brief and get to the point.- synonyms:
- compact, concise, laconic, succinct, summary, terse, thumbnail
- similar words:
- compendious, condensed, crisp, elliptical, pithy, shortened, sketchy, to the point
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| definition 3: |
of clothing, short, small, or revealing.
That skirt is a bit brief to wear to the office, don't you think?- synonyms:
- revealing, scanty
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| related words: |
close-mouthed, curt, laconic, quick, short, succinct |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a short, concise synopsis or statement.
You'll understand the report better if you read the brief first.- synonyms:
- abstract, capsule, outline, précis, summary, synopsis
- similar words:
- compendium, memorandum
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| definition 2: |
a formal outline of information and arguments used in a legal case or other matter.
The lawyer looked over his brief once more before going up to the courtroom.- similar words:
- argument, defense, document, memorandum, outline
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| definition 3: |
(pl.) close-fitting underpants for males or females that extend from the tops of the legs to the waist.
He prefers briefs to boxer shorts.She's sixteen now, and she hates that her mother still buys her cotton briefs.- synonyms:
- drawers, underpants, undershorts
- similar words:
- trunks, underclothes, undergarment, underwear
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| related words: |
abbreviation, abridgment, dossier |
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| phrase: |
hold a brief for |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
briefs, briefing, briefed |
| definition 1: |
to advise by means of a summary.
I will brief you on what was discussed in the meeting this morning.- similar words:
- acquaint, advise, enlighten, fill in, inform, instruct
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| definition 2: |
to make a short summary of.
Could you brief the proposal for us?- synonyms:
- abstract, sketch, summarize, synopsize
- similar words:
- abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten
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| related words: |
apprise, prime |
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| derivations: |
briefly (adv.), briefness (n.) |
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