brevity

/ˈbrɛvɪti/noun

The use of few, well-chosen words; also, the shortness of a period of time.

Example sentence

“Her speech was praised for its brevity; she made her point in under two minutes.”

Shakespeare supplied its most quoted setting: "brevity is the soul of wit", from Hamlet. "For brevity" excuses a shortened explanation.

Featured as word of the day on May 7, 2026.

Related words

brickworkThe part of a building or other construction built from bricks.breezeA soft, mild movement of air.brideA woman on her wedding day, or one who is about to be or has very recently been married.breatheTo take air into the lungs and push it back out, supplying the body with oxygen and removing waste gases.briefingA short meeting held to update people on a situation, often just before an important task or mission begins.breakfastThe morning meal, and typically the first food eaten in a day.