Brief vs. Succinct — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
"Brief" implies a short duration or amount of content, focusing on essential points without deep elaboration, while "succinct" means expressing ideas clearly and precisely with no unnecessary words.
Difference Between Brief and Succinct
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "brief" describes communication or content that is short in length and covers topics quickly without extensive detail. Whereas, "succinct" communication is not only brief but also very clear, with every word chosen carefully to convey the maximum amount of meaning.
"Brief" often applies to situations where time or space is limited, encouraging the speaker or writer to get to the point quickly. On the other hand, "succinct" suggests efficiency in expression, where clarity is paramount and superfluous elements are avoided.
While a brief explanation might skip over complex details to maintain a quick pace, a succinct explanation ensures that essential information is conveyed as efficiently as possible. This makes succinctness particularly valuable in professional and academic settings.
In literature or business, a brief report might simply summarize the main points, adhering to constraints on length or time. Conversely, a succinct report would not only be brief but also pack a lot of information into a small amount of space, making every word count.
The goal of being brief is often driven by external constraints, such as limited time for a presentation. In contrast, the goal of being succinct is an intrinsic quality of the communication itself, aiming to be clear and direct irrespective of external pressures.
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Comparison Chart
Length
Short
Short and compact
Focus
Essential points
Clarity and precision
Detail
Limited detail
No unnecessary details
Communication
Quick conveyance of info
Efficient and clear conveyance
Usage
Time/space constraints
Clarity in expression
Compare with Definitions
Brief
Short in duration or extent.
The manager gave a brief overview of the project.
Succinct
Effective communication with minimal wording.
He provided a succinct summary of the complex report.
Brief
An outline or summary of legal arguments.
The lawyer prepared a brief for the upcoming case.
Succinct
Compact, concise, and carefully chosen wording.
The author is known for her succinct writing style.
Brief
Briefs as a noun refer to short, tight underwear or swimsuit.
He packed extra briefs for the trip.
Succinct
Characterized by clear, precise expression.
His instructions were succinct, leaving no room for confusion.
Brief
Concise; to the point.
Please keep your comments brief during the meeting.
Succinct
Expressed in few words; concise.
Her explanation was succinct and to the point.
Brief
Using few words.
His speech was brief but impactful.
Succinct
Direct and clear without any fluff.
The feedback on the paper was succinct and helpful.
Brief
Short in time, duration, length, or extent.
Succinct
Characterized by clear, precise expression in few words; concise and terse
A succinct reply.
A succinct style.
Brief
Succinct; concise
A brief account of the incident.
Succinct
(Archaic) Encircled as if by a girdle; girded.
Brief
Curt; abrupt
We were upset because he was so brief with us.
Succinct
Brief and to the point.
You should give clear, succinct information to the clients.
Brief
A short, succinct statement.
Succinct
Compressed into a tiny area.
Unlike general lossless data compression algorithms, succinct data structures retain the ability to use them in-place, without decompressing them first.
Brief
A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.
Succinct
(archaic) Wrapped by, or as if by a girdle; closely fitting, wound or wrapped or drawn up tightly.
Brief
(Law) A document concisely stating the legal points being made, including often the citation and explanation of supporting legal authority.
Succinct
Girded or tucked up; bound; drawn tightly together.
His habit fit for speed succinct.
Brief
Roman Catholic Church A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull.
Succinct
Compressed into a narrow compass; brief; concise.
Let all your precepts be succinct and clear.
The shortest and most succinct model that ever grasped all the needs and necessities of mankind.
Brief
A briefing.
Succinct
Briefly giving the gist of something;
A short and compendious book
A compact style is brief and pithy
Succinct comparisons
A summary formulation of a wide-ranging subject
Brief
Often briefs Short, tight-fitting underpants.
Brief
Briefs Chiefly British The instructions that are given to explain a task or assignment.
Brief
To give instructions or preparatory information to
Briefed the astronauts before the mission.
Brief
To summarize.
Brief
Of short duration; happening quickly.
Her reign was brief but spectacular.
Brief
Concise; taking few words.
His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.
Brief
Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short.
Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool.
Brief
(obsolete) Rife; common; prevalent.
Brief
(legal) A writ summoning one to answer; an official letter or mandate.
Brief
(legal) An answer to any action.
Brief
(legal) A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
Brief
A position of interest or advocacy.
Brief
(legal) An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
Brief
(English law) The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
Brief
A short news story or report.
We got a news brief.
Brief
Underwear briefs.
I wear boxers under trousers but for sports I usually wear a brief.
Brief
(obsolete) A summary, précis or epitome; an abridgement or abstract.
Brief
A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
Brief
(slang) A ticket of any type.
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.
Brief
To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.
Brief
Briefly.
Brief
Soon; quickly.
Brief
Short in duration.
How brief the life of man.
Brief
Concise; terse; succinct.
The brief style is that which expresseth much in little.
Brief
Rife; common; prevalent.
Brief
Briefly.
Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief.
Brief
Soon; quickly.
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.
Brief
An epitome.
Each woman is a brief of womankind.
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.
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.
Brief
A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
Brief
A type of men's underpants without legs, fitting tightly and held by an elastic waistband; also called Jockey shorts.
Brief
To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
Brief
A document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
Brief
A condensed written summary or abstract
Brief
Give essential information to someone;
The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade
Brief
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Brief
Concise and succinct;
Covered the matter in a brief statement
Brief
(of clothing) very short;
An abbreviated swimsuit
A brief bikini
Common Curiosities
Is it better to be brief or succinct in professional writing?
In professional writing, it is often better to be succinct as it combines brevity with clarity and efficiency, which is valued in business and academic contexts.
What is an example of a situation where being succinct is important?
In a business presentation or academic paper, being succinct is important to convey complex information clearly and efficiently without wasting words.
What does it mean to be brief?
Being brief means providing information in a short and concise manner, focusing mainly on the essential points.
How does succinct communication differ from brief communication?
While both are concise, succinct communication also emphasizes clarity and precision, ensuring no unnecessary words are used.
How can one improve their ability to be succinct?
Improving succinctness involves practicing clear and precise expression, choosing words carefully, and focusing on the essential message without redundancy.
Can a speech be both brief and succinct?
Yes, a speech can be both brief, in terms of duration, and succinct, in terms of clear and efficient communication.
What are the benefits of being brief in communication?
Being brief can save time and make the communication suitable for audiences with limited attention spans or time constraints.
Can a brief also be a document?
Yes, in legal terms, a brief is a document that presents arguments and facts in a concise format for legal proceedings.
What is the impact of not being succinct in communication?
Failing to be succinct can lead to misunderstandings, boredom, or frustration from the audience due to the unnecessary complexity.
Why is succinctness valued in legal documents?
In legal documents, succinctness ensures that the arguments are clear and unambiguous, which is crucial for legal clarity and effectiveness.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
