(~er, ~est, ~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ lasts for only a short time.
She once made a ~ appearance on television...
This time their visit is ~.
= fleeting
? lengthy
ADJ
2.
A ~ speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details.
In a ~ statement, he concentrated entirely on international affairs...
Write a very ~ description of a typical problem.
= short
ADJ
3.
If you are ~, you say what you want to say in as few words as possible.
Now please be ~–my time is valuable...
= succinct
ADJ: v-link ADJ
4.
You can describe a period of time as ~ if you want to emphasize that it is very short.
For a few ~ 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 ~s.
A bra and a pair of ~s lay on the floor.
N-PLURAL: also a pair of N
6.
If someone ~s 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 ~ed reporters...
The Prime Minister has been ~ed by her parliamentary aides.
= fill in
VERB: V n, V n
7.
If someone gives you a ~, they officially give you responsibility for dealing with a particular thing. (mainly BRIT FORMAL)
...customs officials with a ~ to stop foreign porn coming into Britain.
= responsibility
N-COUNT: oft N to-inf
8.
see also ~er , ~ing
9.
You can say in ~ 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 ~, take no risks.
PHRASE: PHR with cl