Is briefly formal or informal?

It is neutral and often used in speaking, writing, and business English.

What is the difference between briefly and quickly?

Briefly means for a short time or in a short way. Quickly means fast.

Can I use briefly in an email?

Yes. It is common in emails when you want to be short and clear.

How do I use briefly in a sentence?

Place it before a verb or after the verb phrase: 'I will briefly explain the issue.'

← Dictionary

briefly

/ˈbriːf.li/

IELTSAcademic

adverb

For a short time or in a short way. It often means something is said or done without much detail.

She spoke briefly at the meeting.
I will explain the plan briefly.
He visited us briefly yesterday.

Adinary Nuance

Briefly is often used when you want to give only a short answer, summary, or action. It is more neutral and formal than quickly, which usually means 'fast'. It is also different from shortly, which often means 'soon' or 'in a short time'.

In other languages

Vietnamese: ngắn gọn
Spanish: brevemente
Chinese: 简要地
Japanese: 簡潔に
Korean: 간단히

Etymology

Briefly comes from brief, which entered English from Old French in the 14th century. The adverb form developed later to mean 'in a short time' or 'in a short way'.

Common phrases

speak brieflybriefly mentionbriefly explainbriefly summarize

Synonyms

shortly quickly succinctly

Related words

brief concisely summary short

Frequently asked questions

Is briefly formal or informal?: It is neutral and often used in speaking, writing, and business English.
What is the difference between briefly and quickly?: Briefly means for a short time or in a short way. Quickly means fast.
Can I use briefly in an email?: Yes. It is common in emails when you want to be short and clear.
How do I use briefly in a sentence?: Place it before a verb or after the verb phrase: 'I will briefly explain the issue.'