brief

Formsbriefs, briefing, briefed

Pluralbriefs

1. 1
   adjective

   Lasting only a short time and over quickly.

   Like a flash of lightning: there for a moment and then gone.

   We had a brief talk before class started.

   Her visit was brief, but we had fun.

   Similarshort, quick, fleeting, momentary, short-lived

   Oppositelong, lengthy, prolonged, extended

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Short and using only a few words.

   Keep your answer brief because we only have a minute.

   She wrote a brief note to thank her teacher.

   Similarconcise, short, succinct, terse, pithy

   Oppositelengthy, detailed, verbose, wordy

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To quickly tell a leader or boss the facts they need to know.

   The coach will brief the team captain before the big game.

   Her assistant briefed her on the day's schedule.

   Similarinform, update, advise, notify, prime

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   A piece of tight underwear that has no legs.

   She bought a pack of cotton briefs at the store.

   He packed five pairs of briefs for the trip.

   Similarunderpants, pants

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   A paper a lawyer writes to tell a court why their side should win.

   The lawyer filed a brief asking the judge to throw out the case.

   Both sides turned in their briefs before the trial started.

   Similarargument, submission, filing

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   A very short news story that gives only the main facts.

   I read a brief about the storm in this morning's paper.

   The paper ran several briefs about local events on page two.

   Similarbulletin, item, report, summary, roundup

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable

   A short paper that lists the facts and legal points a lawyer will use during a case.

   Before the hearing, she studied a brief that listed every key fact.

   His briefs helped him plan his questions for each witness.

   Similarmemorandum, memo, summary, outline

   Note
8. 8
   adjective

   Short in size, covering only a small space.

   Her shorts were so brief that the coach asked her to change.

   Only a brief gap separated the two rooftops.

   Similarshort, skimpy, scanty, revealing

   Oppositelong

   Note
9. 9
   verbtransitive

   To write the legal argument about something and send it to the court.

   The lawyers will brief the question before the judge decides anything.

   Her team briefed the issue carefully before the hearing.

   Similarargue

   Note
10. 10
    nounfigurativelycountable

    A cause or side that a person supports and argues for.

    I hold no brief for the new rules, but they are the law now.

    Her brief has always been fair pay for farm workers.

    Similarcause, mission, remit

    Note

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