brevity
gb/bɹˈɛvəti/ us/bɹˈɛvəti/
B2
English
tömörség, rövidség
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
brevity (in) [speech/writing/message]
The editor praised the brevity of the report and asked for more of the same.
A szerkesztő megdicsérte a jelentés tömörségét, és azt kérte, hogy a jövőben is hasonló legyen.
In emails, clarity matters, but brevity helps people respond faster.
Az e-mailekben fontos az egyértelműség, de a tömörség segít abban, hogy az emberek gyorsabban válaszoljanak.
She answered with such brevity that we weren’t sure she understood the question.
Learner examples
Please use brevity in your message.
Kérlek, légy tömör az üzenetedben.
The teacher likes brevity in answers.
A tanár szereti a tömör válaszokat.
Common mistake:
Learners may use *brevity* to mean "short summary" (a noun phrase) rather than the quality of being brief.
Meaning
using few words; conciseness
Collocations
for brevity
|for the sake of brevity
|in the interest(s) of brevity
|value brevity
|prefer brevity
|aim for brevity
|brevity and clarity
|admirable brevity
|remarkable brevity
|brevity of expression
Synonyms
conciseness (A close synonym, especially for writing and speech.)
|
succinctness (Often suggests being concise and effective.)
|
terseness (Can imply being too short or abrupt.)
Antonyms
verbosity (Using too many words; long-windedness.)
|
wordiness (Having more words than necessary.)
Themes
language
|writing
|communication
|education
|business
Definition
Using only a few words.
The quality of expressing something in a few words, without unnecessary detail.
NOUN
B2
2
rövidség
B1
Usage pattern:
the brevity of [event/visit/life/experience]
The brevity of the ceremony surprised everyone—it was over in ten minutes.
A szertartás rövidsége mindenkit meglepett – tíz perc alatt vége volt.
Because of the brevity of his visit, we barely had time to talk.
Látogatásának rövidsége miatt alig maradt időnk beszélgetni.
She wrote about the brevity of youth and how quickly it passes.
Learner examples
The meeting’s brevity was helpful.
Hasznos volt, hogy a megbeszélés rövid volt.
I noticed the brevity of the trip.
Észrevettem, milyen rövid volt az út.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common than the communication sense; in everyday speech people often say "shortness" or "how short it was" instead.
Meaning
shortness of time or duration
Collocations
the brevity of the meeting
|the brevity of the visit
|the brevity of the moment
|the brevity of life
|struck by the brevity
|remarkable brevity
|unexpected brevity
|due to the brevity
|despite the brevity
|appreciate the brevity
Synonyms
shortness (More general and more common in everyday speech.)
|
briefness (Close in meaning; often sounds slightly formal.)
Antonyms
length (The quality of lasting a long time or having long extent.)
|
duration (Neutral term that often implies a measurable length of time.)
Themes
time
|daily_life
Definition
Being short in time.
The quality of lasting only a short time or having a short extent.
Grammar
Dictionary form
brevity
IPA
GB/bɹˈɛvəti/
US/bɹˈɛvəti/
Syllables & stress
brev - ity (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (brev)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: brevity
- Plural: brevity
Word family
Related words
Expressions
brevity is the soul of wit
1/bɹˈɛvəti ˈɪz ðə sˈoʊl əv wˈɪt/
fixed phrase
literary
being brief makes you effective
Short messages can be best.
Examples
- He cut his speech down to two minutes—brevity is the soul of wit, after all.
- “Brevity is the soul of wit,” she said, deleting half the slides.
- The slogan is only three words; brevity is the soul of wit.
for brevity
1/fɚ bɹˈɛvəti/
fixed phrase
formal
to be brief; shorten details
Used when you keep something short.
Examples
- For brevity, I’ve omitted the technical background and focused on the results.
- The organization’s full name is long, so we’ll call it “the Association” for brevity.
- For brevity, the table lists only the top five items.
Learner examples
- For brevity, I will use short names.
- For brevity, I will not explain every detail.
for the sake of brevity
1/fɚ ðə sˈeɪk əv bɹˈɛvəti/
fixed phrase
formal
to keep it short
Because you want to be brief.
Examples
- For the sake of brevity, I’ll summarize the main arguments rather than quote them in full.
- For the sake of brevity, the appendix has been removed from this version.
- I’m skipping the history for the sake of brevity.
Learner examples
- For the sake of brevity, I will give only two examples.
in the interest(s) of brevity
1/ˈɪn ðə ˈɪntɚˌɛsts əv bɹˈɛvəti/
fixed phrase
formal
to avoid unnecessary length
To keep it short.
Examples
- In the interests of brevity, the speaker took questions only at the end.
- We’ve combined the two sections in the interest of brevity.
- In the interests of brevity, I’ll limit my comments to three points.
Learner examples
- In the interest of brevity, I will stop here.