brisk

[brisk]

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adjective, brisk·er, brisk·est.

quick and active; lively: brisk trading; a brisk walk.

sharp and stimulating: brisk weather; brisk wind.

(of liquors) effervescing vigorously: brisk cider.

abrupt; curt: I was surprised by her rather brisk tone.

verb (used with or without object), brisked, brisk·ing.

to make or become brisk; liven (often followed by up).

Nearby words

Origin of brisk

First recorded in 1580–90; of uncertain origin

SYNONYMS FOR brisk

1. spry, energetic, alert.

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ANTONYMS FOR brisk

1. languid.

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Related formsbrisk·ly, adverbbrisk·ness, noun

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

Examples from the Web for brisk

The Spire, like most fountains, has the basics -- Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Brisk Iced Tea and SoBe Lifewater.
Font of Invention||September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The voting was brisk although not as much compared to recent elections, locals said.
Putin’s People Stage Their Bogus Vote|Jamie Dettmer|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Opt for a brisk 20-minute walk around the park to get your blood pumping.
Short on Zzz’s? 15 Research-Backed Sleep Hacks|DailyBurn|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the fetal position, she begins shivering from the brisk wind.
Hallucinating Away a Heroin Addiction|Abby Haglage|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There was brisk vehicular traffic all along the road, and most of it German.
The Man Who Knew Russia Best: George Kennan’s Revealing Diaries|James A. Warren|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A brisk trade was soon opened; the articles in greatest request being powder and ball.
Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea in 1846 and 1847|John Rae
The village lay three miles from the post, and during the day, Dillon considered it nothing more than a brisk walk.
Feet Of Clay|Phillip Hoskins
A brisk breath of wind from the Fjord came careering through the gallery, and blew coldly upon his forehead.
Thelma|Marie Corelli
He was a brisk sort of fellow, and he was working at his breakfast busily.
Two Arrows|William O. Stoddard
Set it over a brisk fire, and keep it scalding hot till all the grapes have burst.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches|Eliza Leslie

British Dictionary definitions for brisk

brisk

adjective

lively and quick; vigorousa brisk walk; trade was brisk

invigorating or sharpbrisk weather

verb

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

Derived Formsbriskly, adverbbriskness, noun

Word Origin for brisk

C16: probably variant of brusque

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for brisk

brisk

adj.

1550s, as Scottish bruisk, probably an alteration of French brusque (see brusque). Related: Briskly; briskness.

brisk

adjective, brisk·er, brisk·est.

verb (used with or without object), brisked, brisk·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of brisk

Examples from the Web for brisk

brisk

adjective

verb

Word Origin for brisk

brisk