[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/brevity/)

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# brevity

noun (brevity — uncountable) — formal

«brevity» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) Using few words; being short and to the point when speaking or writing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#m1)
2. (formal) The shortness of time something lasts, as in «the brevity of life». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#m2)

### In the lessons

In English lessons it is praised in writing: say what you mean clearly without extra words. A famous saying from Shakespeare's Hamlet: «Brevity is the soul of wit». In exams and formal writing, «for brevity» means «to keep it short».

### Examples

- The teacher praised the brevity of my answer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x1)
- For brevity, I will only list the main points. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x2)
- Brevity is the soul of wit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x3)
- The brevity of the summer made us sad. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x4)
- Text messages need brevity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x5)
- The speech was famous for its brevity: only two minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x6)
- Haiku poems show the beauty of brevity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable formal noun; in everyday talk say «shortness» or «keeping it short». Related adjective: brief. Spelling: brev-i-ty, not «brief-ity».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «brevity» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brevity/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«brevity» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/brevity.html) on Mova free.