brief ◆◆◇ /briː f/ (briefer , briefest , briefs , briefing , briefed )
1 ADJ Something that is brief lasts for only a short time. □ She once made a brief appearance on television. □ This time their visit is brief.
2 ADJ A brief speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details. □ In a brief statement, he concentrated entirely on international affairs. □ Write a very brief description of a typical problem.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are brief , you say what you want to say in as few words as possible. □ Now please be brief–my time is valuable.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe a period of time as brief if you want to emphasize that it is very short. [EMPHASIS ] □ For a few brief minutes we forgot the anxiety and anguish.
5 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Men's or women's underpants can be referred to as briefs . □ A bra and a pair of briefs lay on the floor.
6 VERB If someone briefs you, especially about a piece of work or a serious matter, they give you information that you need before you do it or consider it. □ [V n] A Defense Department spokesman briefed reporters. □ [be V -ed + by ] The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
7 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If someone gives you a brief , they officially give you responsibility for dealing with a particular thing. [mainly BRIT , FORMAL ] □ She joined the company less than two years ago with a brief to turn the studio around.
8 → see also briefer , briefing
9 PHRASE You can say in brief to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible or to give a summary of what you have just said. □ In brief, take no risks.
▸ brief against PHRASAL VERB If someone, especially a politician, briefs against another person, he or she tries to harm the other person's reputation by saying something unfavourable about them. [BRIT ] □ [V P n] Ministerial colleagues were briefing against him.
brief|case /briː fke I s/ (briefcases ) N‑COUNT A briefcase is a case used for carrying documents in.
brief|er /briː fə r / (briefers ) N‑COUNT A briefer is an official who has the job of giving information about something, for example a war. □ Military briefers say no planes were shot down today.
brief|ing /briː f I ŋ/ (briefings )
1 N‑VAR A briefing is a meeting at which information or instructions are given to people, especially before they do something. □ They're holding a press briefing tomorrow. □ Security staff did not then receive any briefing before they started each shift.
2 → see also brief
brief|ly /briː fli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] Something that happens or is done briefly happens or is done for a very short period of time. □ He smiled briefly. □ Guerillas captured and briefly held an important provincial capital.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If you say or write something briefly , you use very few words or give very few details. □ There are four basic alternatives; they are described briefly below.
3 ADV You can say briefly to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible. □ Briefly, no less than nine of our agents have passed information to us.
brig /br I g/ (brigs )
1 N‑COUNT A brig is a type of ship with two masts and square sails.
2 N‑COUNT A brig is a prison on a ship, especially a warship. [AM ]
Brig. Brig. is a written abbreviation for brigadier . [BRIT ] □ …Brig. Douglas Erskin Crum.
bri|gade /br I ge I d/ (brigades )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A brigade is one of the groups which an army is divided into. □ …the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade.
2 → see also fire brigade
briga|dier /br I gəd I ə r / (brigadiers ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A brigadier is a senior officer who is in charge of a brigade in the British armed forces.
bri ga|dier ge n|er|al (brigadier generals ) also brigadier-general N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the United States, a brigadier general is a senior officer in the armed forces who is often in charge of a brigade and has a rank above colonel and below major general. □ …Brigadier General Gary Whipple of the Louisiana National Guard.
brig|and /br I gənd/ (brigands ) N‑COUNT A brigand is someone who attacks people and robs them, especially in mountains or forests. [LITERARY ] □ …a notorious brigand who hijacked trains.
bright ◆◆◇ /bra I t/ (brighter , brightest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A bright colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark. □ …a bright red dress. □ …the bright uniforms of the guards parading at Buckingham Palace. ● bright|ly ADV □ …a display of brightly coloured flowers. ● bright|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ You'll be impressed with the brightness and the beauty of the colours.
2 ADJ A bright light, object, or place is shining strongly or is full of light. □ …a bright October day. □ She leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. ● bright|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …a warm, brightly lit room. □ The sun shone brightly. ● bright|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] An astronomer can determine the brightness of each star.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as bright , you mean that they are quick at learning things. □ I was convinced that he was brighter than average.