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How to pronounce brief
Say it like this: /ˈbɹif/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.
What does brief mean?
adjOf short duration; happening quickly.
“Her reign was brief but spectacular.”
Concise; taking few words.
“His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.”
Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.
“On the beach he always wore a straw hat with a red band and a brief pair of leopard print trunks.”
nounA writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
A short papal letter.
An answer to any action.
verbTo summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.
“The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability.”
To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.
advBriefly.
“Whence Adam faultring long, thus anſwer’d brief.”
Soon; quickly.
“But that a ioy paſt ioy, calls out on me, / It were a griefe, to briefe to part with thee : / Farewell.”
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Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.