briefly

[ breef-lee ]

/ ˈbrif li /

for a short duration: He stopped over briefly in Chicago.

in a few words: Let me explain briefly.

in a brief manner; quickly or brusquely: She nodded briefly and began to speak.

Nearby words

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at brief, -ly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Lee and Coogan did briefly meet with the pope, with pictures to prove it, but no one at the Vatican officially screened the film.
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He was courteous, explained the legitimate reason we were briefly pulled over, and then let us continue on our way.
Obama Is Right on Race. The Media Is Wrong.|Keli Goff|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was briefly scared into eating regularly, but all too soon, the fears fade and my old habits return.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Briefly, blister rust is an Asian fungus introduced from Europe to America around 1900.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Shostakovich was briefly in Moscow, and he was summoned to the theater.
When Stalin Met Lady Macbeth|Brian Moynahan|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The parties which in turn wield power in these periodic revolutions may be briefly termed classical and romantic.
Morals and the Evolution of Man|Max Simon Nordau
What remains to be told of Fitzjames's life shall be given as briefly as may be.
The Life of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., K.C.S.I.|Sir Leslie Stephen
Butler told them briefly what had taken place, without making any special point of his own part in the affair.
The Pony Rider Boys in Louisiana|Frank Gee Patchin
We have briefly glanced at our lack of confidence, our failure in cordial unanimity, the absence of definiteness and importunity.
The Assembly of God|C. (Charles) H. (Henry) Mackintosh
But briefly, in order to come to this story, I must have a side talk with the Woman-who-goes-hunting-with-her-husband.
A Woman Tenderfoot|Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson

adv.

c.1300, from brief (adj.) + -ly (2). As an introduction to a statement, "in short," recorded from 1510s.