brevity

[brev-i-tee]

noun

1. shortness of time or duration; briefness.

   the brevity of human life.

   Antonyms: length

2. the quality of expressing much in few words; terseness.

   Ironically, it is long-winded Polonius in Shakespeare's Hamlet who famously says that brevity is the soul of wit.

   Synonyms: pithiness, succinctness, compactness
   Antonyms: length

brevity

/ ˈbrɛvɪtɪ /

noun

1. conciseness of expression; lack of verbosity

2. a short duration; brief time

Word History and Origins

Origin of brevity¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Anglo-French brevite, Old French brievete, from briev(e), feminine of brief brief + -ete -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of brevity¹

C16: from Latin brevitās shortness, from brevis _brief

Synonym Study

Brevity, conciseness refer to the use of few words in speaking. Brevity emphasizes the short duration of speech: a response reduced to extreme brevity. Conciseness emphasizes compactness of expression: Her prose is clear in spite of great conciseness.

Example Sentences

Sherling said the two services will appeal to different audiences, with CNN Headline viewers looking for brevity while paying customers get the breadth and depth they expect from the cable channel.

From Los Angeles Times

His statement was notable for its relative, and unusual, brevity – but primarily for its vagueness.

From BBC

Some have suggested the brevity of the summit is in part to cater to the US president's attention span and dislike of long meetings.

From BBC

Life is short, and even if it’s well-lived, its brevity is both beautiful and cruel.

From Salon

The following has been edited slightly for style and brevity.

From Salon