What is brief? Pronunciation and usage in English

brief means . Learn how to pronounce and use brief through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of brief

briefadjective/verb

/briːf/
Definition & pronunciation of brief

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "brief." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈbriːf (rhymes with "reef" or "beef")

Let's break it down further:

  • ˈbriː – This is the main part. The 'b' is pronounced like a regular 'b'. The 'ri' is pronounced like "ree" (as in "see"). The 'ee' is pronounced like the 'ee' in "see" or "meet."
  • f – A soft, quick 'f' sound.

Here's a breakdown of what to avoid:

  • Don't say "breeff" - The double 'f' is incorrect.
  • Don't overemphasize the 'i' - It's a relatively quick syllable.

Resources to help you:

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Usage and examples with the word brief in English

Let's break down how to use the word "brief" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As an Adjective (Describing something short and concise):

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It describes something that is short in length, duration, or detail.
  • Examples:
    • "I need a brief summary of the report." (A short summary)
    • "He gave a brief explanation." (A short explanation)
    • "She wore a brief skirt." (A short skirt)
    • "The meeting was brief and productive." (Short and effective)
    • "We had a brief conversation." (A short conversation)

2. As a Noun (Referring to a document or record):

  • Meaning: This refers to a written document, such as a legal document, report, or memorandum. It’s often associated with legal or professional contexts.
  • Examples:
    • "The lawyer handed me a brief outlining the key arguments." (A legal document)
    • “The committee considered the brief on climate change.” (A report)
    • "Send me the brief on the contract." (A document related to a contract)

3. As a Noun (Referring to an item worn around the waist):

  • Meaning: This is a more specific use, referring to underwear worn around the waist. It’s often used in casual conversation, but can be considered slightly sensitive depending on the context.
  • Examples:
    • “He wore briefs to the beach.” (Underwear)
    • “I need to buy some new briefs.” (Underwear)

4. As a Verb (Meaning to summarize quickly):

  • Meaning: This means to present something in a concise and summarized way.
  • Examples:
    • "Can you brief me on the project's progress?" (Can you summarize the progress?)
    • "The CEO briefed the board on the new strategy." (The CEO summarized the new strategy)

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Short, concise "A brief answer is needed."
Noun Written document (legal, report) "The brief contained key evidence."
Noun Underwear “He wore briefs for swimming.”
Verb To summarize quickly “She briefed him on the findings.”

Tips for Using “Brief” Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of “brief” depends entirely on the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms to avoid repetition, such as “short,” “concise,” “summary,” “report,” or “document.”

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Synonyms for the word brief

Idioms of the word brief

in brief
in a few words, without details
  • In brief, the meeting was a disaster.
  • Now the rest of the news in brief.

Practice with vocabulary brief

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The CEO gave a ___ summary of the quarterly results during the meeting.
  2. Please keep your response ___, as we have limited time for discussions.
  3. The manager provided a ___ overview of the project details.
  4. After hours of negotiations, they reached a ___ agreement on the terms.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words means "short in duration"?
    a) protracted
    b) brief
    c) lengthy
    d) extensive

  2. Select the word that best fits the sentence:
    "She delivered a ___ speech that captured the audience’s attention."
    a) brief
    b) prolonged
    c) detailed
    d) thorough

  3. Which word is a synonym of "concise"?
    a) lengthy
    b) brief
    c) wordy
    d) extensive

  4. Choose the correct word for the sentence:
    "The meeting was ___ but productive."
    a) brief
    b) endless
    c) prolonged
    d) comprehensive

  5. Which word is most appropriate here?
    "The email was ___ and to the point."
    a) brief
    b) elaborate
    c) lengthy
    d) exhaustive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The presentation was concise and informative.
    Rewrite:

  2. Original: He gave a short explanation of the new policy.
    Rewrite:

  3. Original: The trip was quick but enjoyable.
    Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. brief
  2. brief
  3. concise
  4. tentative

Exercise 2:

  1. b) brief
  2. a) brief
  3. b) brief
  4. a) brief
  5. a) brief

Exercise 3:

  1. The presentation was brief and informative.
  2. He provided a brief explanation of the new policy.
  3. The trip was short but enjoyable.

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