Brief vs. Short — What's the Difference?
![](/avatar/e0d81f08fe6f847a66f62f1b0cfb7b26.webp?s=40)
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 7, 2024
Brief emphasizes conciseness in communication or events, focusing on content and duration. Short refers to a small length, duration, or extent, often with a neutral or negative connotation.
![Brief vs. Short — What's the Difference?](/images/brief-vs-short-28599.webp)
Difference Between Brief and Short
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Brief is used to describe situations, communications, or documents where information is presented concisely and without unnecessary detail, valuing efficiency and clarity. Short, however, can describe anything with limited length or duration, from physical objects to time spans, and may imply that something is lacking or insufficient.
In communication, being brief is often considered a positive trait, implying that one can convey essential information efficiently. In contrast, describing something as short can sometimes suggest that it does not meet expected standards or leaves something to be desired, such as a short meal lacking in courses.
A brief encounter or meeting is understood to be intentionally concise, possibly to focus discussion or save time. A short encounter, while also implying limited duration, might carry connotations of abruptness or insufficiency, perhaps not fulfilling all desired outcomes.
In the context of documentation, a brief document is expected to be concise and to the point, deliberately avoiding extraneous detail. A short document, however, might be perceived as lacking in necessary detail or depth, potentially leaving questions unanswered.
The preference for brevity or shortness can be context-dependent. In some situations, such as legal briefs or executive summaries, being brief is essential and valued. In other contexts, such as personal narratives or explanations, being too short might be seen as inadequate or dismissive.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Conciseness in communication or events, focusing on efficiency.
Small length, duration, or extent, often with a neutral or negative connotation.
Connotation
Often positive, implying clarity and succinctness.
Can be neutral or negative, implying insufficiency or lack.
Usage
Describes communications, meetings, or documents where conciseness is key.
Describes anything with limited length or duration, from objects to time spans.
In Communication
Valued for efficient conveyance of essential information.
Might suggest that content is lacking or not fully developed.
Context Dependency
Valued in professional or formal settings for efficiency.
Perception can vary; sometimes adequacy is questioned.
Compare with Definitions
Brief
Concise and to the point, often used to describe efficient communication or short durations with a focus on substance.
The CEO's briefing was brief, covering all key points in under ten minutes.
Short
Limited in length, duration, or extent, sometimes implying inadequacy.
The vacation felt short, ending just as they started to relax.
Brief
In legal contexts, a brief is a concise statement or summary.
The lawyer prepared a brief outlining the main arguments for the case.
Short
Describing physical dimensions or quantities.
The shelf was too short to hold all the books.
Brief
Used to describe concise written communications.
She sent a brief email summarizing the meeting outcomes.
Short
In financial contexts, being short means lacking resources.
The budget was short by several thousand dollars.
Brief
Describing efficient meetings or presentations.
The project update was brief, yet it included all necessary information.
Short
Referring to time periods that feel insufficient.
Their lunch break was short, leaving little time to eat.
Brief
Referring to short periods of time with a focus on productivity.
After a brief discussion, the committee agreed on the next steps.
Short
Used in narratives to imply a lack of depth or detail.
His answer was short, not fully addressing the question.
Brief
Short in time, duration, length, or extent.
Short
Measuring a small distance from end to end
Short dark hair
A short flight of steps
The bed was too short for him
Brief
Succinct; concise
A brief account of the incident.
Short
Lasting or taking a small amount of time
Visiting London for a short break
A short conversation
Brief
Curt; abrupt
We were upset because he was so brief with us.
Short
Relatively small in extent
He wrote a short book
A short speech
Brief
A short, succinct statement.
Short
(of a vowel) categorized as short with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard British English the vowel /ʊ/ in good is short as distinct from the long vowel /uː/ in food).
Brief
A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.
Short
(of a person) terse; uncivil
He was often sharp and rather short with her
Brief
(Law) A document concisely stating the legal points being made, including often the citation and explanation of supporting legal authority.
Short
(of odds or a chance) reflecting or representing a high level of probability
They have been backed at short odds to win thousands of pounds
Brief
Roman Catholic Church A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull.
Short
(of pastry) containing a high proportion of fat to flour and therefore crumbly.
Brief
A briefing.
Short
(chiefly in sport) at, to, or over a relatively small distance
You go deep and you go short
Brief
Often briefs Short, tight-fitting underpants.
Short
A drink of spirits served in a small measure.
Brief
Briefs Chiefly British The instructions that are given to explain a task or assignment.
Short
A short film as opposed to a feature film.
Brief
To give instructions or preparatory information to
Briefed the astronauts before the mission.
Short
A short sound such as a short signal in Morse code or a short vowel or syllable
Her call was two longs and a short
Brief
To summarize.
Short
A short circuit.
Brief
Of short duration; happening quickly.
Her reign was brief but spectacular.
Short
A person who sells short.
Brief
Concise; taking few words.
His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.
Short
A mixture of bran and coarse flour.
Brief
Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.
Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool.
Short
Short-circuit or cause to short-circuit
The electrical circuit had shorted out
If the contact terminals are shorted, the battery quickly overheats
Brief
(obsolete) Rife; common; prevalent.
Short
Sell (stocks or other securities or commodities) in advance of acquiring them, with the aim of making a profit when the price falls
The rule prevents sellers from shorting a stock unless the last trade resulted in a price increase
Brief
(legal) A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
Short
Having little length; not long.
Brief
(legal) An answer to any action.
Short
Having little height; not tall.
Brief
(legal) A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
Short
Extending or traveling not far or not far enough
A short toss.
Brief
A position of interest or advocacy.
Short
Lasting a brief time
A short holiday.
Brief
(legal) An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
Short
Appearing to pass quickly
Finished the job in a few short months.
Brief
(English law) The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
Short
Not lengthy; succinct
Short and to the point.
Brief
A short news story or report.
We got a news brief.
Short
Rudely brief; abrupt
The owner was quite short with the new hire.
Brief
Underwear briefs.
I wear boxers under trousers but for sports I usually wear a brief.
Short
Easily provoked; irascible
Has a short temper.
Brief
(obsolete) A summary, précis or epitome; an abridgement or abstract.
Short
Inadequate; insufficient
Oil in short supply.
Were short on experience.
Brief
A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
Short
Lacking in length or amount
A board that is short two inches.
Brief
(slang) A ticket of any type.
Short
Lacking in breadth or scope
A short view of the problem.
Brief
(transitive) To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.
The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability.
Short
Deficient in retentiveness
A short memory.
Brief
To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.
Short
Holding a trading position that is inversely related to the price of a security or index
Short investors.
An investor who is short gold.
Brief
Briefly.
Short
Of or relating to a short sale
A short position.
Brief
Soon; quickly.
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; flaky
A short pie crust.
Brief
Short in duration.
How brief the life of man.
Short
Not ductile; brittle
Short iron.
Brief
Concise; terse; succinct.
The brief style is that which expresseth much in little.
Short
(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a speech sound of relatively brief duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mălus, "evil," as compared with the same or a similar sound of relatively long duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mālus, "apple tree."
Brief
Rife; common; prevalent.
Short
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a vowel sound in English, such as the vowel sound (ă) in pat or () in put, that is descended from a vowel of brief duration.
Brief
Briefly.
Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief.
Short
Being of relatively brief duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.
Brief
Soon; quickly.
Short
(Slang) Close to the end of a tour of military duty.
Brief
A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.
Bear this sealed brief,With winged hastle, to the lord marshal.
And she told meIn a sweet, verbal brief.
Short
Abruptly; quickly
Stop short.
Brief
An epitome.
Each woman is a brief of womankind.
Short
In a rude or curt manner.
Brief
An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument.
It was not without some reference to it that I perused many a brief.
Short
At a point before a given boundary, limit, or goal
A missile that landed short of the target.
Brief
A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence.
Short
At a disadvantage
We were caught short by the sudden storm.
Brief
A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
Short
By means of a short sale
Selling a commodity short.
Brief
A type of men's underpants without legs, fitting tightly and held by an elastic waistband; also called Jockey shorts.
Short
(Linguistics) A short syllable, vowel, or consonant.
Brief
To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
Short
A brief film; a short subject.
Brief
A document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
Short
A size of clothing less long than the average for that size.
Brief
A condensed written summary or abstract
Short
Shorts Short pants extending to the knee or above.
Brief
Give essential information to someone;
The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade
Short
Shorts Undershorts.
Brief
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Short
A short sale.
Brief
Concise and succinct;
Covered the matter in a brief statement
Short
One that sells short.
Brief
(of clothing) very short;
An abbreviated swimsuit
A brief bikini
Short
Shorts A byproduct of wheat processing that consists of germ, bran, and coarse meal or flour.
Short
Shorts Clippings or trimmings that remain as byproducts in various manufacturing processes, often used to make an inferior variety of the product.
Short
A short circuit.
Short
A malfunction caused by a short circuit.
Short
(Baseball) A shortstop.
Short
To cause a short circuit in.
Short
(Informal) To give (one) less than one is entitled to; shortchange.
Short
To short-sell (a security or index).
Short
To short-circuit.
Short
Having a small distance from one end or edge to another, either horizontally or vertically.
Short
(of a person) Of comparatively small height.
Short
Having little duration.
Our meeting was a short six minutes today. Every day for the past month it’s been at least twenty minutes long.
Short
(followed by for) Of a word or phrase, constituting an abbreviation (for another) or shortened form (of another).
"Phone" is short for "telephone" and "asap" short for "as soon as possible".
Short
That is relatively close to the batsman.
Short
Bowled so that it bounces relatively far from the batsman.
Short
That falls short of the green or the hole.
Short
(gambling) Of betting odds, offering a small return for the money wagered.
Short
Brittle, crumbly. See shortbread, shortcake, shortcrust, shortening, hot short, cold-short.
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant.
He gave a short answer to the question.
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty.
A short supply of provisions
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied, especially with money; scantily furnished; lacking.
To be short of money
I'd lend you the cash but I'm a little short at present.
The cashier came up short ten dollars on his morning shift.
Short
Deficient; less; not coming up to a measure or standard.
An account which is short of the truth
Short
(colloquial) Undiluted; neat.
Short
(obsolete) Not distant in time; near at hand.
Short
(finance) Being in a financial investment position that is structured to be profitable if the price of the underlying security declines in the future.
Short position
I'm short in General Motors because I think their sales are plunging.
Short
(by extension) Doubtful of, skeptical of.
Short
Of money: given in the fewest possible notes, i.e. those of the largest denomination.
Short
Abruptly, curtly, briefly.
They had to stop short to avoid hitting the dog in the street.
He cut me short repeatedly in the meeting.
The boss got a message and cut the meeting short.
Short
Unawares.
The recent developments at work caught them short.
Short
Without achieving a goal or requirement.
His speech fell short of what was expected.
Short
Relatively far from the batsman and hence bouncing higher than normal; opposite of full.
Short
(finance) With a negative ownership position.
We went short most finance companies in July.
Short
A short circuit.
Short
A short film.
Short
A short version of a garment in a particular size.
38 short suits fit me right off the rack.
Do you have that size in a short?
Short
(baseball) A shortstop.
Jones smashes a grounder between third and short.
Short
(finance) A short seller.
The market decline was terrible, but the shorts were buying champagne.
Short
(finance) A short sale or short position.
He closed out his short at a modest loss after three months.
Short
A summary account.
Short
(phonetics) A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
Short
(programming) An integer variable having a smaller range than normal integers; usually two bytes long.
Short
An automobile; especially in crack shorts, to break into automobiles.
Short
(transitive) To cause a short circuit in (something).
Short
To short circuit.
Short
(transitive) To shortchange.
Short
To provide with a smaller than agreed or labeled amount.
This is the third time I’ve caught them shorting us.
Short
To sell something, especially securities, that one does not own at the moment for delivery at a later date in hopes of profiting from a decline in the price; to sell short.
Short
(obsolete) To shorten.
Short
Deficient in.
We are short a few men on the second shift.
He's short common sense.
Short
(finance) Having a negative position in.
I don’t want to be short the market going into the weekend.
Short
Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight.
The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it.
Short
Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath.
The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
To short absense I could yield.
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; - usually with of; as, to be short of money.
We shall be short in our provision.
Short
Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.
Short
Not distant in time; near at hand.
Marinell was sore offendedThat his departure thence should be so short.
He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day.
Short
Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory.
Their own short understandings reachNo farther than the present.
Short
Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); - with of.
Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war.
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
Short
Breaking or crumbling readily in the mouth; crisp; as, short pastry.
Short
Brittle.
Short
Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; - opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, 22, 30.
Short
A summary account.
The short and the long is, our play is preferred.
Short
The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran.
The first remove above bran is shorts.
Short
Short, inferior hemp.
Short
Breeches; shortclothes.
Short
A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs.
Short
In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short.
He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language.
Short
To shorten.
Short
To fail; to decrease.
Short
The location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
Short
Accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference
Short
The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between 2nd and 3rd base
Short
Cheat someone by not returning him enough money
Short
Create a short-circuit in
Short
Primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration;
A short life
A short flight
A short holiday
A short story
Only a few short months
Short
Primarily spatial sense; having little length or lacking in length;
Short skirts
Short hair
The board was a foot short
A short toss
Short
Low in stature; not tall;
His was short and stocky
Short in stature
A short smokestack
Short
Not sufficient to meet a need;
An inadequate income
A poor salary
Money is short
On short rations
Food is in short supply
Short on experience
Short
Not holding securities or commodities that one sells in expectation of a fall in prices;
A short sale
Short in cotton
Short
Of speech sounds (especially vowels) of relatively short duration (as e.g. the English vowel sounds in `pat', `pet', `pit', `pot', putt')
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; therefore tender and easy to crumble or break into flakes;
Shortbread is a short crumbly cookie
A short flaky pie crust
Short
Less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so;
A light pound
A scant cup of sugar
Regularly gives short weight
Short
Used of syllables that are unaccented or of relatively brief duration
Short
(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range;
A short memory
Short
Lacking foresight or scope;
A short view of the problem
Shortsighted policies
Shortsighted critics derided the plan
Myopic thinking
Short
Unwilling to endure;
She was short with the slower students
Short
Quickly aroused to anger;
A hotheaded commander
Short
Most direct;
Took the shortest and most direct route to town
Short
Marked by rude or peremptory shortness;
Try to cultivate a less brusque manner
A curt reply
The salesgirl was very short with him
Short
Quickly and without warning;
He stopped suddenly
Short
Without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold;
He made his fortune by selling short just before the crash
Short
Clean across;
The car's axle snapped short
Short
At some point or distance before a goal is reached;
He fell short of our expectations
Short
So as to interrupt;
She took him up short before he could continue
Short
At a disadvantage;
I was caught short
Short
Tightly;
She caught him up short on his lapel
Short
In a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner;
He told me curtly to get on with it
He talked short with everyone
He said shortly that he didn't like it
Common Curiosities
Is being brief always a positive trait?
Being brief is often viewed positively in contexts where efficiency and clarity are valued, though it may not be suitable in situations where depth and detail are important.
Can something be both brief and short?
Yes, something can be both brief and short, especially if it is concise and to the point, yet also limited in duration or extent.
Is a short communication considered less effective than a brief one?
Not necessarily; effectiveness depends on the context and audience. Short communication might be seen as less comprehensive than brief communication, which is concise but complete.
What strategies can be employed to ensure communication is brief but not short?
Focus on clarity, prioritize key information, use concise language, and avoid unnecessary details while ensuring that all critical points are covered comprehensively.
Can a brief document still be comprehensive?
Yes, a brief document can be comprehensive if it efficiently conveys all necessary information without extraneous detail, focusing on the essence of the content.
How does the perception of brief vs. short change in different contexts?
The perception can vary widely: in professional settings, being brief is often preferred for efficiency, while in personal or creative contexts, being too short might be seen as lacking.
Does short always imply a negative connotation?
Short can carry a neutral or negative connotation depending on context; it might imply insufficiency or simply denote limited size or duration without a value judgment.
How does culture influence the preference for brief versus short communication?
Cultural norms and values can significantly impact communication styles; some cultures value direct and brief exchanges, while others may prefer more detailed and extended interactions.
Are there specific industries or professions where being brief is particularly important?
Yes, industries such as law, business, journalism, and any field requiring clear, efficient decision-making often value the ability to communicate briefly.
How can one improve their ability to be brief without being perceived as short?
Practice summarizing complex ideas into key points, actively edit for conciseness, and seek feedback to ensure clarity and completeness without unnecessary length.
What role does digital communication play in the trend towards briefness?
Digital communication, with its emphasis on speed and efficiency, often encourages brief exchanges, due to the fast-paced nature of online interactions and character limits on some platforms.
Can a narrative or story be both engaging and brief?
Absolutely, many effective stories or narratives are engaging due to their focused plot and character development, demonstrating that brevity can enhance impact.
What challenges arise when trying to be brief in technical or complex subjects?
The main challenge is balancing the need for conciseness with the necessity of providing enough detail to accurately convey complex ideas or procedures.
How do brief and short descriptions differ in visual arts?
In visual arts, a brief description might concisely convey the essence or interpretation of a piece, while a short description might lack depth or fail to capture the artwork's nuances.
Is it possible for a meeting to be too brief?
Yes, if a meeting is too brief, it might overlook important discussions, questions, or clarifications, potentially leading to misunderstandings or incomplete resolutions.
Share Your Discovery
![](/images/communicable-vs-contagious-12296-s.webp)
Previous Comparison
Communicable vs. Contagious![](/images/intercom-vs-entryphone-27757-s.webp)
Next Comparison
Intercom vs. EntryphoneAuthor Spotlight
![](/avatar/e0d81f08fe6f847a66f62f1b0cfb7b26.webp?s=64)
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
![](/avatar/df1122c972ae7d99147107783080f6a0.webp?s=64)
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat