brief
To give someone important information or instructions before they start a job.
Explanation at your level:
To brief means to tell someone important facts. If you have a job to do, your boss might brief you first. You listen to the information so you know what to do.
When you brief a person, you give them a summary of a situation. It is like giving them instructions before they start a project. It helps them be ready.
In a work setting, to brief someone is to provide them with the necessary background information. It is common to say 'the manager briefed the team on the new schedule' to ensure everyone understands the goals.
The verb brief implies a formal exchange of information. It is often used when a superior updates a subordinate on a mission or a project. It focuses on efficiency and clarity.
Using brief suggests a structured transfer of knowledge. It is frequently used in high-stakes environments like law, government, or journalism, where the 'briefing' is a critical component of strategic planning and decision-making.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of brevity, brief as a verb denotes the distillation of complex data into a manageable format. It carries a nuance of authority and preparation, distinguishing it from casual conversation or simple informing.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Brief is a verb.
- It means to inform.
- It is formal.
- It requires an object.
When you brief someone, you are essentially giving them the 'need-to-know' information. Think of it as a pre-game huddle where the coach explains the strategy.
It is not about telling a long story; it is about being concise and focused. You are preparing the person so they can perform their task effectively without being confused.
The word brief comes from the Latin word brevis, which literally means 'short.' It traveled through Old French as bref before landing in English.
Historically, a 'brief' was a short written document or letter. Over time, the verb form evolved to describe the act of summarizing information into that short, digestible format.
You will hear this most often in professional or military environments. It implies a sense of duty and preparation.
Common phrases include 'brief the team' or 'brief the CEO.' It is a formal verb, so you wouldn't usually say 'brief me on what you had for lunch' unless you are being funny.
In brief: Used to summarize something quickly. Example: In brief, the meeting was a success.
Hold a brief for: To support or argue for a cause. Example: I don't hold a brief for their new policy.
Brief encounter: A short, often romantic meeting. Example: It was just a brief encounter at the station.
Brief someone on: To give specific details. Example: Please brief me on the latest updates.
Keep it brief: A request to be quick. Example: Please keep it brief; we have little time.
As a verb, brief is regular: brief, briefed, briefing. It is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object (you brief someone).
Pronunciation is /briːf/. It rhymes with leaf, chief, and grief. The stress is always on the single syllable.
Fun Fact
Related to the word 'abbreviate'.
Pronunciation Guide
long e sound
long e sound
Common Errors
- pronouncing as brief-uh
- confusing with breath
- stressing wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
I briefed him.
Examples by Level
The boss will brief us.
boss = manager
future tense
The teacher briefed the class.
I briefed my friend.
He briefed the team.
She briefed the pilot.
They briefed the group.
We briefed the staff.
Please brief me.
The manager briefed the staff on the new rules.
I need to brief you before the meeting.
She briefed the reporters yesterday.
They were briefed about the safety procedures.
Can you brief me on the project?
He briefed his assistant on the plan.
The captain briefed the crew.
We briefed the visitors.
The lawyer briefed the client on the court case.
The general briefed the soldiers on the mission.
I will brief you on the details later.
She was briefed by her supervisor.
The consultant briefed the board members.
He briefed the press on the situation.
They were briefed on the changes.
The guide briefed us before the tour.
The secretary of state briefed the president on the crisis.
The detective briefed the team on the suspect's movements.
We were briefed on the potential risks involved.
The CEO briefed the investors on the quarterly results.
She briefed the committee on the new proposal.
The doctor briefed the family on the surgery.
The coach briefed the players on the opposing team.
He briefed the staff on the new security protocols.
The intelligence officer briefed the agency on the security breach.
The lead architect briefed the client on the design constraints.
The spokesperson briefed the media on the delicate situation.
The analysts briefed the board on market volatility.
The commander briefed the unit on the tactical changes.
The expert briefed the panel on the scientific findings.
The lawyer briefed the judge on the legal precedents.
The project lead briefed the stakeholders on the timeline.
The diplomat briefed the ambassador on the nuances of the treaty.
The chief of staff briefed the cabinet on the geopolitical implications.
The lead researcher briefed the committee on the ethical considerations.
The strategist briefed the executive team on the long-term vision.
The crisis manager briefed the board on the mitigation strategy.
The legal counsel briefed the partners on the liability issues.
The lead developer briefed the investors on the technical roadmap.
The consultant briefed the board on the organizational restructuring.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"in brief"
to summarize
In brief, we lost.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
adverb vs verb
adverb describes time
He spoke briefly.
Sentence Patterns
Brief + object + on + topic
Brief me on the project.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
brief is transitive
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a briefcase full of facts.
Professionalism
Use it in meetings.
Military roots
Common in military.
Transitive verb
Always needs an object.
Long E
Stretch the E.
Don't say brief to
Say brief someone.
Latin root
Brevis means short.
Contextualize
Use in roleplay.
Verb forms
Briefed is the past.
Conciseness
Keep it short.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Brief = Be Right In Every Fact.
Visual Association
A soldier getting instructions before a mission.
Word Web
چالش
Brief a friend on your day.
ریشه کلمه
Latin
Original meaning: short
بافت فرهنگی
None
Used heavily in corporate and military culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Work
- brief the team
- brief the manager
- brief the client
Conversation Starters
"Can you brief me on the project?"
"Who briefed you on this?"
"I need to be briefed."
"Let me brief you."
"Have you been briefed?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were briefed.
Why is briefing important?
How do you keep things brief?
Who briefs you at work?
سوالات متداول
8 سوالYes, it can be, but here it is a verb.
خودت رو بسنج
The boss will ___ us on the plan.
Context of information.
What does to brief mean?
Meaning of the verb.
Briefing someone takes a long time.
Briefing is usually concise.
Word
معنی
Synonym matching.
Verb pattern.
امتیاز: /5
Summary
To brief is to provide essential information concisely.
- Brief is a verb.
- It means to inform.
- It is formal.
- It requires an object.
Memory Palace
Imagine a briefcase full of facts.
Professionalism
Use it in meetings.
Military roots
Common in military.
Transitive verb
Always needs an object.
مثال
Can you brief me on the main points of the meeting?
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این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
عبارات مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر Communication
aah
A1صدایی است که هنگام احساس آرامش، رضایت یا شادی بیان میشود. گاهی برای ابراز درد یا غافلگیری هم به کار میرود.
accentuate
C1To make a particular feature of something more noticeable or prominent. It is frequently used to describe how one thing emphasizes the beauty, importance, or intensity of another.
acknowledgment
B2An acknowledgment is the act of accepting or admitting that something is true, or a formal statement confirming that something has been received. It can also refer to a public expression of thanks for someone's help or contribution.
actually
B1Actually is used to emphasize that something is a real fact or the truth, often contrasting with what was thought or said. It can also be used to introduce a surprising piece of information or to gently correct someone.
address
A2یعنی مستقیماً با کسی حرف بزنی یا به یه مشکلی رسیدگی کنی. برای سخنرانی کردن یا نوشتن آدرس روی نامه هم استفاده میشه.
addressee
B2The person or organization to whom a letter, package, or message is addressed. It refers to the intended recipient of a piece of communication.
adlocment
C1Describes a style of communication or behavior that is formal, directed, and oratorical in nature, specifically pertaining to a public address or a declamatory speech. It is used to characterize language that is intentionally designed to be heard by an audience for the purpose of instruction or inspiration.
adloctude
C1سبک ارتباطی رسمی و مستقیم که در عین صمیمی و در دسترس بودن، حس اقتدار و حرفهای بودن رو منتقل میکنه.
admonish
C1To firmly warn or reprimand someone for their behavior, or to advise someone earnestly to do or avoid something. It often implies a sense of moral guidance or authoritative concern rather than just anger.
adpassant
C1To mention or address a secondary topic briefly and incidentally while focused on a primary task or discussion. It describes an action that occurs seamlessly 'in passing' without disrupting the main narrative or workflow.
