briefly
For a short time or in a few words.
ExampleI will briefly explain why online classes can be useful for busy students.
ExampleThe speaker briefly describes the schedule change.
Usage Scenarios
Starting a spoken explanation
Use briefly when you want to introduce a short reason or summary.
ExampleI will briefly explain why I prefer studying in the morning.
Reporting what someone says
Listen for it in summaries when a speaker gives a short description.
ExampleThe lecturer briefly describes how the experiment was conducted.
Usage Guide
Use briefly when you want to signal that your explanation will be short. DET answers are timed, so this word is useful when you need to move quickly from your main idea to one clear reason or example.
The most useful patterns are briefly explain, briefly describe, and briefly summarize. These phrases help you control your answer and avoid long, unfocused sentences.
Briefly does not mean poorly or without detail. It means using only the necessary words. A brief answer can still be clear and complete.
Word Forms & Word Building
Briefly is built from brief plus the adverb suffix -ly, so it means in a brief way or using few words.
Brief is the base adjective meaning short: a brief answer, a brief explanation, a brief conversation.
Build useful DET chunks by adding briefly before action verbs: briefly explain, briefly describe, briefly summarize, briefly mention.
Meaning Boundaries
Briefly vs shortly
Briefly means in a few words or for a short time. Shortly often means soon.
Briefly vs quickly
Quickly focuses on speed. Briefly focuses on length or amount of detail.
Register
Briefly is neutral and natural in DET speaking, writing, listening summaries, and instructions.
Best contexts
Use briefly with explain, describe, summarize, mention, discuss, introduce, or review when the task needs a short, controlled answer.
Memory Tricks
Connect briefly with short and clear. It is about using fewer words, not giving a weaker answer.
Practice three chunks: briefly explain, briefly describe, briefly summarize.
Use briefly when you need to control time in speaking or keep a writing answer focused.
Common Traps
Do not use briefly when you mean soon. Say shortly or soon for time in the future.
Do not put briefly after every sentence. Use it when the shortness matters.
In speaking, do not promise to be brief and then give a very long answer. Keep the structure tight.