brevity

/ˈbrevəti/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈɛvəti] /ˈbrevəti/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈɛvəti] /ˈbre-və-tē How to pronounce brevity (audio)/ (ame, mw)

brevity — noun

1. the quality of expressing something in very few words, so the message stays shor

1.名詞C2
釋義

the quality of expressing something in very few words, so the message stays short and direct.

例句

Everyone appreciated the brevity of Talia's update before the long budget meeting.

the brevity of [someone's] update

With admirable brevity, Karim explained the safety rules in two calm sentences.

with brevity

同義詞
  • concision

    positive and careful, often praising well-edited wording

  • succinctness

    close in meaning, but slightly less formal in tone

  • terseness

    can suggest a cold or abrupt tone rather than simple economy

反義詞
  • wordiness

    using more words than needed

  • verbosity

    formal word for excessive length in speech or writing

文法句型

with brevity

the brevity of [a reply / email / speech]

用法筆記

Often used for writing, speeches, replies, or explanations. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about how short an event or period lasts, not about how few words someone uses.

常見錯誤

❌We admired the brevity of his holiday.
✅We admired the brevity of his reply.
💡sense 1 describes short wording, not short duration.

2. the quality of not lasting long, so something begins and ends quickly.

2.名詞C2
釋義

the quality of not lasting long, so something begins and ends quickly.

例句

The brevity of the summer storm surprised Indra because the sky had looked dangerous.

the brevity of [an event]

Christopher regretted the brevity of his visit when his train left at noon.

the brevity of [a visit]

同義詞
  • shortness

    plain, general word for limited length or duration

  • briefness

    close in meaning, but used a little less often

  • transience

    more literary and often suggests passing quickly

反義詞
  • length

    general opposite for how long something lasts

  • duration

    neutral word for the amount of time something continues

文法句型

the brevity of [a visit / storm / pause]

用法筆記

Usually appears in phrases such as 'the brevity of the visit' or 'the brevity of the storm'. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about concise wording rather than how long something continues.

常見錯誤

❌The manager liked the brevity of her memo.
✅The manager liked the brevity of her stay.
💡sense 2 is about short duration, not short wording.