brief
gb/bɹˈif/ us/bɹˈif/
A2
English
~ 1900
rövid, tömör, tájékoztató, beadvány, feladatleírás, tájékoztat, eligazít
A2
1
rövid
A1
Usage pattern:
a brief [period/event/visit]
We had a brief conversation before the meeting started.
Az értekezlet kezdete előtt volt egy rövid beszélgetésünk.
Her visit was brief but enjoyable.
A látogatása rövid volt, de kellemes.
There was a brief pause before he answered.
The speech was surprisingly brief.
I only stayed for a brief time.
Learner examples
I had a brief talk with my teacher.
Röviden beszéltem a tanárommal.
The class was brief today.
Ma rövid volt az óra.
We took a brief break.
The movie was brief but fun.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'brief' with 'short' in contexts where 'short' refers to height or length, not time.
Meaning
Short in time or length
Collocations
brief moment
|brief visit
|brief meeting
|brief explanation
|brief conversation
Synonyms
short (A general term for limited duration; 'brief' often implies a concise or efficient shortness.)
Antonyms
long (Indicates a much greater duration, the opposite of short in time.)
Themes
time
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening for only a short time.
Lasting only for a short period of time; not long.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a brief [statement/remark/note]
He gave a brief summary of the project.
Tömör összefoglalót adott a projektről.
Please keep your remarks brief.
Kérem, fogalmazzon röviden.
Her email was polite but brief.
The instructions were brief and clear.
Learner examples
He wrote a brief note to me.
Írt nekem egy rövid üzenetet.
She gave a brief answer.
Tömör választ adott.
The teacher gave us a brief summary.
Please be brief when you speak.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'brief' with 'short' when talking about physical size rather than amount of words.
Meaning
Concise in speech or writing
Collocations
brief statement
|brief summary
|brief description
|brief note
Synonyms
concise ('Concise' is more formal and often used in professional or academic contexts.)
Antonyms
wordy (Using too many words, the opposite of concise.)
Themes
communication
|writing
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Using only a few words to give information.
Using only a few words to say something; concise.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a brief on [topic]
The lawyer prepared a brief for the case.
Az ügyvéd beadványt készített az ügyben.
We received a design brief from the client.
Tervezési feladatleírást kaptunk az ügyféltől.
He read the briefing notes before the meeting.
Learner examples
I read the project brief.
Elolvastam a projekt feladatleírását.
The lawyer wrote a legal brief.
Az ügyvéd jogi beadványt írt.
Our boss gave us a short brief.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'brief' here means 'underwear' due to plural 'briefs'. Context is important.
Meaning
Short summary or instructions
Collocations
legal brief
|design brief
|project brief
Synonyms
summary ('Summary' is more general; 'brief' can have legal or professional connotations.)
Antonyms
full report (A complete and detailed account, opposite of a short summary.)
Themes
business
|law
|communication
|work
Definition
A short set of facts or instructions about something.
A short statement or document giving the main facts or instructions about something.
VERB
B2
4
tájékoztat
B1
eligazít
B2
Usage pattern:
to brief [someone] on [something]
The officer briefed the team on the mission.
A tiszt eligazította a csapatot a küldetésről.
She was briefed about her new duties.
Tájékoztatták az új feladatairól.
They will brief the press later today.
Learner examples
The teacher briefed us on the trip rules.
A tanár tájékoztatott minket a kirándulás szabályairól.
The guide briefed the group before we left.
Az idegenvezető indulás előtt eligazította a csoportot.
He will brief me on the plan.
Meaning
Give key facts quickly
Collocations
brief staff on procedures
|brief reporters on events
Synonyms
inform ('Inform' is more general; 'brief' implies giving only the essential points.)
Antonyms
withhold information (To not give any information, opposite of briefing.)
Themes
business
|military
|daily life
|communication
|work
Definition
To tell someone the main points or instructions quickly.
To give someone the main facts or instructions about something in a short amount of time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
brief
IPA
GB/bɹˈif/
US/bɹˈif/
Syllables & stress
brief (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (brief)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: brief
- Comparative: briefer
- Superlative: briefest
Noun
- Base: brief
- Plural: briefs
Verb
- Base: brief
- 3rd Person Singular: briefs
- Present Participle: briefing
- Past: briefed
Word family
Expressions
brief someone on something
1/bɹˈif sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Give someone quick facts about something
To tell someone the main points about something quickly.
Examples
- The manager briefed us on the new policy.
- He will brief the team on tomorrow's schedule.
in brief
1/ˈɪn bɹˈif/
fixed phrase
Stated in few words
Used to say something in only a few words.
Examples
- In brief, the meeting was a success.
- The answer, in brief, is yes.
keep it brief
1/kˈip ˈɪt bɹˈif/
fixed phrase
Make something short and concise
To make something take little time or use few words.
Examples
- Please keep it brief so we can move on.
- I’ll keep it brief since you’re busy.