transcription, транскрипция: [ bri:f ]
( briefer, briefest, briefs, briefing, briefed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is brief lasts for only a short time.
She once made a brief appearance on television...
This time their visit is brief.
= fleeting
≠ lengthy
ADJ
2.
A brief speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details.
In a brief statement, he concentrated entirely on international affairs...
Write a very brief description of a typical problem.
= short
ADJ
3.
If you are brief , you say what you want to say in as few words as possible.
Now please be brief–my time is valuable...
= succinct
ADJ : v-link ADJ
4.
You can describe a period of time as brief if you want to emphasize that it is very short.
For a few brief minutes we forgot the anxiety and anguish.
≠ long
ADJ : usu ADJ n [ emphasis ]
5.
Men’s or women’s underpants can be referred to as briefs .
A bra and a pair of briefs lay on the floor.
N-PLURAL : also a pair of N
6.
If someone briefs you, especially about a piece of work or a serious matter, they give you information that you need before you do it or consider it.
A Defense Department spokesman briefed reporters...
The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
= fill in
VERB : V n , V n
7.
If someone gives you a brief , they officially give you responsibility for dealing with a particular thing. ( mainly BRIT FORMAL )
...customs officials with a brief to stop foreign porn coming into Britain.
= responsibility
N-COUNT : oft N to-inf
8.
see also briefer , briefing
9.
You can say in brief to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible or to give a summary of what you have just said.
In brief, take no risks.
PHRASE : PHR with cl