First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
brevity
noun brev·i·ty \ˈbre-və-tē\
: the use of few words to say something
: the quality or fact of lasting only for a short period of time
plural brev·i·ties
Full Definition of BREVITY
: shortness of duration; especially : shortness or conciseness of expression
See brevity defined for English-language learners
See brevity defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of BREVITY
- Mike Espy resigned under pressure as Secretary of Agriculture yesterday at a news conference remarkable for its brevity and general absence of whining. —New York Times, 4 Oct. 1994
- Lincoln was able to achieve the loftiness, ideality, and brevity of the Gettysburg Address because he had spent a good part of the 1850s repeatedly relating all the most sensitive issues of the day to the Declaration's supreme principle. —Garry Wills, Lincoln At Gettysburg, 1992
- The book's brevity is its major defect. Admittedly, readers of military history have been smothered by portentous tomes of a thousand pages or more. But 365 pages are too few to tell the Normandy story. —Drew Middleton, New York Times Book Review, 15 Aug. 1982
- “Maudie, I'm sure I don't know what you mean,” said Mrs. Merriweather. “I'm sure you do,” Miss Maudie said shortly. She said no more. When Miss Maudie was angry, her brevity was icy. —Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960
- [+]more
Origin of BREVITY
Latin brevitas, from brevis (see breve)
Related to BREVITY
- Synonyms
- briefness, conciseness, shortness
- Antonyms
- lengthiness
Rhymes with BREVITY
BREVITY Defined for Kids
brevity
noun brev·i·ty \ˈbre-və-tē\
Definition of BREVITY for Kids
: the condition of being short or brief <The concert's brevity disappointed fans.>
Learn More About BREVITY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: BrevoortiaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: brevit All Words Near: brevity
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up brevity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).