briefly

briefly — adverb

1. only for a little while, rather than for long.

1.副詞B1
釋義

only for a little while, rather than for long.

例句

Aya briefly checked her phone, then returned to the piano lesson.

briefly + verb for a short action

The sun briefly came out between two dark clouds above the beach.

briefly before a verb of appearance

同義詞
  • momentarily

    close in meaning, but it can also mean 'very soon' in some contexts

  • temporarily

    often suggests a longer limited period, not just a moment

  • for a moment

    common phrase for a very short time in everyday speech

反義詞
  • continuously

    describes something that goes on without stopping

  • permanently

    describes something that lasts and does not change back

文法句型

briefly + verb

verb + briefly

用法筆記

Often used with verbs that describe a short action or change, such as stop, appear, speak, leave, or look. Distinguish from sense 2 FEW WORDS, which tells you how much someone says rather than how long something lasts.

常見錯誤

❌Ravi stayed in Seoul brief.
✅Ravi stayed in Seoul briefly.
💡after a verb, use the adverb 'briefly', not the adjective 'brief'.
❌The nurse briefly explained the test for one hour.
✅The nurse explained the test in detail for one hour.
💡briefly does not fit a long action.

2. in a short way that gives only the main points.

2.副詞B2
釋義

in a short way that gives only the main points.

例句

The guide briefly explained the temple rules before the tour began.

briefly explain something before details come later

At dinner, Leila briefly mentioned her new job in Kaohsiung.

briefly mention a topic without expanding

同義詞
  • concisely

    more formal and stresses efficient wording

  • shortly

    can match this sense, especially in formal speech or writing

  • in short

    phrase often used to introduce a summary

反義詞
  • fully

    shows that all or most details are included

  • at length

    means with a lot of detail or for a long explanation

文法句型

briefly explain something

briefly mention something

briefly describe something

briefly summarize something

用法筆記

Common with verbs like explain, mention, discuss, describe, and summarize. Distinguish from sense 1 SHORT TIME: here the focus is limited detail, so a speaker may talk for several minutes and still speak briefly if only the main ideas are given.

常見錯誤

❌Please explain the map brief.
✅Please explain the map briefly.
💡use the adverb after the verb.
❌Mina briefly described every street, shop, and sign on the route.
✅Mina described every street, shop, and sign on the route in detail.
💡briefly does not fit a full, detailed account.