A
a short time
a short time /э J;>:rt 'taim/ [n singular] Unfortunately, we could only spend a short time together. I How did you manage to do all this in such a short time? I Your friends left a short time ago.
a while /э 'wad/ {n singular] a period of time that is neither very short nor very long: After a while, he came back. for a while We lived in Seattle for a while after we got married. I Can you stay for a while, or do you have to leave right now?
a little/short while (=a short period of
time) Bob's only been working here a short while.
a minute/a moment /э min^t, э
тэотэм/ [n singular] a very short time, no more than a few minutes: Where's Charles gone? He was here a moment ago. I Wait a minute, I'm nearly ready. a minute or two It took me a minute or two to realize what she meant.
a second/an instant /э 'sekand, эп
"instant/ [n singular! an extremely short
time, no more than a few seconds: In an instant her mood had changed from sadness to anger
for a second/an instant Liz hesitated, but only for a second. 1 Just for an instant I thought he was going to hit me.
A A second and an instant mean the same thing, but use an instant especially when you are writing stories or descriptions of events.
Qq bit /Э bit [n singular] British spoken informal a short time, usually just a few minutes: Oh, wait a bit, can't you? for a bit I think I'll lie down for a bit.
continuing for only a short time
short /fo:rt/ [adj] continuing for only a short time: The meeting o»as shorter than I'd expected. I the shortest day of the year
quick, /kwik/ [adj only before noun] а quick action takes only a very short time, because you are in a hurry quick look/drink/shower I took a quick look at the map. I Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?
brief /bri:f/ \adj] a brief pause, visit etc is short, especially because there is not much time available: It was impossible to see everything during one brief visit to Paris. I After a brief intermission the performance continued. 1 a brief period of calm
Д Brief is more formal than short, and is used mostly in written English rather than in conversation,
not take long /not teik '\щ1'Ьщ[ if
something does not take long, you do it and finish it in a short time: Let me show you how to use the computer ~ it won't take long.
it does not take long to do sth It didn't take long to solve the problem.
temporary /четрлэп, -рлч|-рэгеп/ [adj] something that is temporary is expected to continue for only a short time and will not be permanent: Ben's found a
temporary job, till November. I They're living in temporary accommodation at the moment.
temporary workers/stajff (=doing temporary jobs)
temporarily [adv] for a limited period of time: The library is temporarily closed
for repairs.
short-iived Jo;rt 'ImUjl-'hiivtU \adj)
written something that is short-lived ends sooner than you want it to - use this especially about a feeling, or a relationship: We were glad to be home, but our happiness was shori-lived. I The President's popularity may be shortlived.
В a short piece of writing
short Jo;rr [adj] a short piece of wriiir-g does not have many pages or words: a book of short stories I a short letter from my employer I Your essay is too short.
brief bri:f {adj] brief note/description/
comments/outline/account a note, description etc that has been written using very few words, to give only the most important information without a lot of details: J sent them a brief note saying Luhat the problem was. I The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.
A Brief is more formal than short. Don't use brief about a whole book or story.
a shorter way of saying or writing something
abbreviation /^brnvieipn [n С] а
shorter way of writing or saying a word or phrase: the Central Intelligence Agency, usuaffy known by the abbreviation CIA + for/of Dr' is the written abbreviation of 'Doctor\
be short for sth Ы: J>/t fn:r (sth}; if а
word, a name, or a set of letters is short for something, it is a shorter way of saying or writing it: They call me Beth - it's short for Elizabeth. I What's 'etc' short for?
for short /fsr Jo:rt if you call someone or something a name for short, you use a
a short statement giving the main ideas and facts
summary /'sArnari [n С] a short statement that gives only the main ideas and facts of something that has been written or said
+ of Write a tujo-page summary of the results of your research I I've made a summary of the main points in the Secretary General's speech. news summary (=a short programme reporting the main events in the news)
plural summaries
outline aotlain [n С] an outline of a plan or of a series of historical events is a short statement that gives only the main points and facts
+ of an official statement giving a general outline of the Middle East peace plan i The book begins with an outline of the events that Jed to the First World War
to give the main ideas or facts of something
summarize (also summarise British)
'sAnwaiz (u T| to make a short statement giving only the main information, but not the details, of a report, plan, event etc: Your final paragraph should summarize the main points of your essay.
Sum Up ,SAm лр/ [phrasal verb 1/T] to make a very short statement, especially at the end of a speech, report, or discussion, giving the main ideas or facts: The chairman's job is to introduce the speakers and then sum up at the end of the discussion.