in brief

Idioms  

1. Also, in short; in a word. Concisely, in few words, to sum up. All three phrases usually precede or follow a summary statement, as in In brief, we didn't get much out of his speech, or There was no agenda; in short, they could discuss whatever they wanted to, or The sun was shining, the sky was clear—in a word, it was a beautiful day. The first expression dates from the early 1400s; in short dates from the 1300s but the present usage dates from the 1700s; the hyperbolic in a word (since there is nearly always more than one word) dates from the late 1500s.

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Example Sentences

In brief remarks, Trump said that award was "one of the honours" of his life.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

In brief, Citicorp is seeking to build a new headquarters in New York, at a time when New York is mired in rampant street crime, white flight and financial collapse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

In brief comments to reporters, the former president — who plucked Sheinbaum from relative academic obscurity to launch her remarkable political ascendance — hailed the judicial vote and praised his protege.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025

"In brief, even young pregnant patients have more medical conditions and complications in pregnancy," Mokashi said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 22, 2024

In brief, Nye learned only this: “Of all the people in all the world, the Clutters were the least likely to be murdered.”

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote