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# brief

adjective (brief, briefer, briefest); noun (a brief, briefs); verb (brief, briefs, briefed, briefing)

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

## Everyday

1. Short in time or length. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m1)
2. Using few words: be brief. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m2)
3. (noun) Instructions about a job or task: the brief for the project. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m3)
4. (verb) To give someone the facts or instructions they need. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m4)
5. Briefs (plural): underpants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m5)
6. (noun, UK) A lawyer's case; informal for a lawyer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m6)

### In the lessons

In school, a design brief tells you what to make; teachers ask for a brief summary. In everyday life, a brief visit or brief chat is short. In formal and exam voice: «briefly explain». Phrases: in brief, a brief summary, brief someone on, design brief.

### Examples

- We had a brief chat after school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x1)
- Please keep your answer brief. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x2)
- In brief, the plan worked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x3)
- The design brief said: make a bridge from straws. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x4)
- The coach briefed us before the match. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x5)
- He packed socks and briefs for the trip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x6)
- The rain was brief, just ten minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x7)
- Here is a brief analysis of part of one of the tales in which this elementary abducer figures. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x8)

### Note

Adverb briefly. Briefing is a meeting where people are given information. In exam questions «briefly» means write a short answer, a sentence or two. Briefs (underpants) is always plural.

## On Mova

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