Brevity: meaning, definitions and examples

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brevity

[ˈbrɛvɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in writing

Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

Synonyms

conciseness, succinctness, terse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brevity	Use when emphasizing the shortness of time or communication, often in positive contexts such as speeches or writing. The brevity of his speech was appreciated by the audience. This essay stands out for its clarity and brevity.
conciseness	Use when focusing on the clarity and precision of communication without unnecessary details, often in written texts. Good report writing requires conciseness. Her conciseness made the document much easier to understand.
succinctness	Use when highlighting the brief and direct manner of expression, typically in both spoken and written forms. His succinctness in the meeting saved us a lot of time. For clarity and succinctness, I’ll explain the process step by step.
terse	Use when referring to very brief communication that may come off as rude or unfriendly; often has a negative connotation. His terse reply left everyone in the room uncomfortable. She gave a terse ‘no’ to all his questions.

Examples of usage

The author's brevity in his writing style captivated the readers.
She appreciated the brevity of the presentation.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

time

Shortness of time or duration.

Synonyms

briefness, conciseness, shortness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brevity	Use when highlighting the quality of being brief and to the point, often appreciated in communication or writing for its effectiveness. The manager praised him for the brevity of his report. Brevity is the soul of wit.
briefness	More generic than 'brevity,' often used when referring to the short duration of something; can be related to both time and content. The briefness of the meeting was unexpected. He admired her briefness in explaining complex ideas.
shortness	Used more often to describe physical length, duration, or a deficiency; often has a slightly negative connotation. The shortness of the runway was a concern for the pilots. Due to the shortness of his breath, he decided to see a doctor.
conciseness	Focuses on using few words without losing the meaning, often in writing or speech; implies clarity and precision. Journalists are trained in the art of conciseness. Her conciseness made the instructions easy to follow.

Examples of usage

The brevity of our meeting surprised me.
The brevity of the film made it easy to watch in one sitting.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

life

The quality of lasting only for a short period of time.

Synonyms

ephemerality, fleetingness, transience.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brevity	Brevity is typically used to describe something that is concise or short in duration, often in the context of speech or writing. The professor praised the student's paper for its brevity and clarity. In the meeting, everyone appreciated the CEO's brevity as she got straight to the point.
transience	Transience conveys the idea of impermanence or the temporary nature of something, usually in a philosophical or existential context. The novel reflects on the transience of human life. Traveling often gives one a sense of the transience of time and place.
ephemerality	Ephemerality refers to the quality of being short-lived or temporary. It's often used in artistic, philosophical, or environmental contexts. The ephemerality of a sunset makes it even more beautiful. Artists often capture the ephemerality of moments in their work.
fleetingness	Fleetingness emphasizes something that passes by quickly, often in an emotional or sensory context, like a feeling or a glimpse. She cherished the fleetingness of their brief encounter. The fleetingness of childhood is something many parents talk about.

Examples of usage

The brevity of life is a common theme in literature.
They reflected on the brevity of childhood.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Latin 'brevitas', which means 'shortness' or 'briefness'.
In English, 'brevity' first appeared in the late 14th century, often used in literature and speech.
Related terms include 'brief' and 'abbreviate', which share roots in the concept of being concise.

Literature

Famous authors, like Ernest Hemingway, were known for their brevity, crafting powerful stories using very few words.
The phrase 'Brevity is the soul of wit' comes from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', emphasizing the value of being concise.
Poets often use brevity to evoke strong emotions through short, impactful lines.

Communication

In modern communication, especially in texts or tweets, brevity has become essential due to character limits.
Effective public speakers often practice brevity to keep their audience engaged and focused.
Editing for brevity is a critical skill in journalism, where every word counts to deliver news succinctly.

Psychology

Research suggests that concise messaging is more memorable than lengthy explanations, tapping into our cognitive preferences.
Clarity in communication often improves relationships; being brief can reduce misunderstandings.
Studies show that people perceive brevity as professionalism, influencing job opportunities and promotions.

Pop Culture

In the age of social media, memes often exemplify brevity by delivering humor or commentary in just a few words or images.
Television shows sometimes use quick dialogue to create comedic effects, showcasing the power of brevity in entertainment.
Song lyrics are often succinct, using brevity to create catchy hooks that resonate with listeners.

Translations

Translations of the word "brevity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brevidade

🇮🇳 संक्षिप्तता

🇩🇪 Kürze

🇮🇩 kebrevitas

🇺🇦 стислість

🇵🇱 zwięzłość

🇯🇵 簡潔さ (kanketsusa)

🇫🇷 brièveté

🇪🇸 brevedad

🇹🇷 kısalık

🇰🇷 간결함 (gankyeolham)

🇸🇦 إيجاز (ijaz)

🇨🇿 stručnost

🇸🇰 stručnosť

🇨🇳 简洁 (jiǎnjié)

🇸🇮 jedrnatost

🇮🇸 stuttleiki

🇰🇿 қысқалық

🇬🇪 მოკლედობა (mokleoba)

🇦🇿 qısalıq

🇲🇽 brevedad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,923, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13920 impulsive
13921 proportioned
13922 flushing
13923 brevity
13924 accords
13925 hiking
13926 sabotage
...