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briefly

briefly

414 1.0
For a short time or in a few words
  • adverb
  • /ˈbrifli/
translation icon : brevemente
  • I was only there very briefly.
  • briefly discuss
  • briefly describe
  • briefly review

I want to talk to you briefly about Perception.

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Examples

  • He explained the rules briefly before the game started.

  • And let me just very briefly say what this is about.

  • All right, go with me at least briefly to that.

  • Let me just go ahead and briefly read their short e-mail.

  • I think I did visit her briefly in the afternoon.

  • We'll be able to talk briefly after the field is on.

  • Now, saying all of that, let's briefly talk about two things here.

  • We met before, ever so briefly.

  • I want to talk to you briefly about Perception.

  • Let me just briefly show you the contents here.

Synonyms

in short
vsbriefly
115 2.8

To give only the main facts

can mean short duration as well as a brief summary
in a nutshell
vsbriefly
  • Informal
41 3.4

To say something briefly and clearly

is more general, covering short time or fewer words broadly
succinctly
vsbriefly
20 5.5

In a short clear way using few words

also covers short time or simple brevity beyond just clarity
short and sweet
vsbriefly
  • Informal
12 4.0

Quick and pleasant without extra detail, often about a talk or message

is neutral, covering shortness of time or concise wording
in brief
vsbriefly
6 2.8

To say something in a few short words

is wider, meaning short time or concise wording in general
concisely
vsbriefly
6 4.4

In a clear, short way using few words

also allows meaning of short time as well as few words
tersely
vsbriefly
3 6.4

In a short, direct way that uses few words

can be neutral or simply short without abruptness
shortly
vsbriefly
2 2.3

Using a few words

also includes the idea of lasting for a short time
laconically
vsbriefly
1 7.8

To speak or write using very few words and often sounding short

is more general and can be neutral or friendly
pithily
vsbriefly
1 7.6

To say a lot with few strong words

is less forceful and can be plain or neutral in tone
compactly
vsbriefly
4.2

Using few clear words without extra detail

is broader, applying to short time or brief wording too

Antonyms

11 4.5

In a way that has many small details and rich decoration

1 6.4

For a long time and with too many details

How Long

temporarily
222 3.2
for a while
1.0
briefly
414 1.0
momentarily
47 3.7
instantly
330 1.0

Surface Forms

briefly positive

Morphology

briefly = brief (transparent) = brief + ly

The adverb is directly formed from the adjective 'brief' with the productive suffix '-ly', preserving the basic meaning.

Etymology

Briefly comes from brief plus the ending -ly, and brief goes back to the old Latin word brevis meaning 'short'. So briefly means 'in a short way' — 'for a short time' or 'using a few words', which explains its modern meaning.