brisk

American  

[brisk] / brɪsk /

adjective

brisker, briskest

1. quick and active; lively.

   brisk trading;

   a brisk walk.

   Synonyms:

   alert, energetic, spry

   Antonyms:

   languid

2. sharp and stimulating: brisk wind.

   brisk weather;

   brisk wind.

3. (of liquors) effervescing vigorously.

   brisk cider.

4. abrupt; curt.

   I was surprised by her rather brisk tone.

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verb (used with or without object)

brisked, brisking

1. to make or become brisk; liven (often followed byup ).

brisk British  

/ brɪsk /

adjective

1. lively and quick; vigorous

   a brisk walk

   trade was brisk

2. invigorating or sharp

   brisk weather

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verb

1. (often foll by up) to enliven; make or become brisk

Other Word Forms

• briskly adverb
• briskness noun

Etymology

Origin of brisk

First recorded in 1580–90; of uncertain origin

Explanation

Brisk is one of those delightful words that sounds like what it means: quick, lively, bracing, and refreshing. There's nothing like a brisk walk in the morning to get the blood flowing and the spirit ready for the day. Anything brisk is happening quickly but not too fast. Probably taken from the French brusque, which also means "quick," but in a more negative way, brisk can be used to describe not only physical actions but also more conceptual notions, such as brisk business around the holidays or brisk interactions at a speed-dating event. The soft-drink called Brisk must be called that for a good reason. Perhaps it picks you up!

Example Sentences

After Trump built on his brisk start to develop a 6-0 lead, Australia's Robertson celebrated with the crowd when he won frame seven.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Business was brisk on two days The Times observed, and the waiting times were generally only a few minutes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Policy decisions can pull yields in different directions, particularly when geopolitical events are moving at a brisk clip.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

AI assistants that can handle work and everyday personal tasks, all powered by brisk English-language commands that require zero coding knowledge, are rapidly defining phase two of the AI boom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

She set a brisk pace, so that anyone who saw them would think they had someplace to be and the right to be where they were.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

Related Words

• energetic
• lively
• quick
• speedy
• spry
• vigorous