briefly

briefly — adverb

1. only for a little while, rather than for long.

1.adverbB1
Definition

only for a little while, rather than for long.

Example

Aya briefly checked her phone, then returned to the piano lesson.

briefly + verb for a short action

The sun briefly came out between two dark clouds above the beach.

briefly before a verb of appearance

Common collocations
  • briefly stop
  • briefly appear
  • briefly leave
  • briefly speak
  • briefly check
Synonyms
  • momentarily

    close in meaning, but it can also mean 'very soon' in some contexts

  • temporarily

    often suggests a longer limited period, not just a moment

  • for a moment

    common phrase for a very short time in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • continuously

    describes something that goes on without stopping

  • permanently

    describes something that lasts and does not change back

Grammar Patterns

briefly + verb

verb + briefly

Usage Note

Often used with verbs that describe a short action or change, such as stop, appear, speak, leave, or look. Distinguish from sense 2 FEW WORDS, which tells you how much someone says rather than how long something lasts.

Common Mistakes

Ravi stayed in Seoul brief.
Ravi stayed in Seoul briefly.
after a verb, use the adverb 'briefly', not the adjective 'brief'.
The nurse briefly explained the test for one hour.
The nurse explained the test in detail for one hour.
briefly does not fit a long action.

2. in a short way that gives only the main points.

2.adverbB2
Definition

in a short way that gives only the main points.

Example

The guide briefly explained the temple rules before the tour began.

briefly explain something before details come later

At dinner, Leila briefly mentioned her new job in Kaohsiung.

briefly mention a topic without expanding

Common collocations
  • briefly explain
  • briefly mention
  • briefly describe
  • briefly discuss
  • briefly summarize
Synonyms
  • concisely

    more formal and stresses efficient wording

  • shortly

    can match this sense, especially in formal speech or writing

  • in short

    phrase often used to introduce a summary

Antonyms
  • fully

    shows that all or most details are included

  • at length

    means with a lot of detail or for a long explanation

Grammar Patterns

briefly explain something

briefly mention something

briefly describe something

briefly summarize something

Usage Note

Common with verbs like explain, mention, discuss, describe, and summarize. Distinguish from sense 1 SHORT TIME: here the focus is limited detail, so a speaker may talk for several minutes and still speak briefly if only the main ideas are given.

Common Mistakes

Please explain the map brief.
Please explain the map briefly.
use the adverb after the verb.
Mina briefly described every street, shop, and sign on the route.
Mina described every street, shop, and sign on the route in detail.
briefly does not fit a full, detailed account.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Briefly' is the most flexible choice when something happens only for a short time: 'The lights briefly went out.' 'For a moment' is common in speech and often sounds a little more personal or reflective: 'For a moment, Hana thought she was late.' 'Temporarily' usually points to a limited period that may last much longer, such as days or months: 'The library is temporarily closed.' 'Momentarily' can mean almost the same as 'briefly', but in some varieties of English it also means 'very soon', so it can be less clear. If you mean a quick action or passing change, 'briefly' is usually the safest word.

briefly ↗momentarilytemporarily ↗for a moment

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Briefly comes from the adjective 'brief' with the adverb ending '-ly'. 'Brief' entered English through Old French from Latin 'brevis', meaning 'short'. The basic idea has stayed the same through time: something brief does not last long or does not use many words, and 'briefly' developed both of those adverb meanings in English.