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# brief

«brief» in Mova's school dictionary: **Short in time or length** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

### part of speech

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

### meaning for a pupil

1) Short in time or length. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m1)

2) Using few words: be brief. [tree →](https://md.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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m3)

4) (verb) To give someone the facts or instructions they need. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m4)

5) Briefs (plural): underpants. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m5)

6) (noun, UK) A lawyer's case; informal for a lawyer. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#m6)

### sense 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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x1)
- Please keep your answer brief. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x2)
- In brief, the plan worked. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x3)
- The design brief said: make a bridge from straws. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x4)
- The coach briefed us before the match. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x5)
- He packed socks and briefs for the trip. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/#x6)
- The rain was brief, just ten minutes. [tree →](https://md.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://md.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.

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «brief» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/brief/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.