briefs: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal (for informational/legal senses). Informal for underwear.
Quick answer
What does “briefs” mean?
A type of tight-fitting, legless underwear worn by men or boys.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of tight-fitting, legless underwear worn by men or boys.
A concise summary of facts or information, particularly in legal or military contexts. It can also refer to the task of instructing someone about a mission or situation, or the official instructions given.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'briefs' for underwear is standard. The informational/legal sense is identical. In US military/aviation contexts, 'brief' is more common as a singular noun for a meeting.
Connotations
In both, the underwear sense can be seen as functional or dated. The legal/business sense connotes formality and authority.
Frequency
The underwear sense is more frequent in everyday contexts. The informational sense is common in professional, legal, and military domains in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “briefs” in a Sentence
[someone] + briefs + [someone] + on + [topic][someone] + writes + [a/the] brief(s) + for + [purpose][someone] + receives + [a/the] brief(s)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “briefs” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The officer briefs the team before every operation.
- She briefs the board quarterly on financial performance.
American English
- The lawyer briefs her client on courtroom procedure.
- The pilot briefs the crew on the flight plan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A concise report or set of instructions for a project or meeting.
Academic
A short summary of a case or argument, especially in law.
Everyday
Primarily refers to men's underwear.
Technical
In law: a written summary of a case for a court. In military/aviation: a pre-mission meeting or document.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “briefs”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “briefs”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “briefs”
- Using 'briefs' as a singular noun for underwear (e.g., 'a briefs'). The correct singular is 'a pair of briefs' or the uncountable 'brief'. Confusing 'briefs' (n.) with 'briefs' (v. 3rd person singular).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For underwear, it is grammatically plural but treated as a single item (e.g., 'These briefs are clean'). For information/legal documents, it is a standard plural (e.g., 'The briefs are on your desk').
'Briefs' (plural) typically refers to underwear or multiple informational documents. 'A brief' (singular) refers to one specific document, summary, or set of instructions.
Traditionally, 'briefs' refers to men's or boys' underwear. Similar styles for women are usually called 'knickers' (UK) or 'panties' (US), though some brands may use 'briefs' for a classic cut.
It is an idiom meaning to not support or defend someone/something, to have no sympathy for their position.
A type of tight-fitting, legless underwear worn by men or boys.
Briefs is usually neutral to formal (for informational/legal senses). informal for underwear. in register.
Briefs: in British English it is pronounced /briːfs/, and in American English it is pronounced /brifs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold no brief for (someone/something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'briefs' as 'brief shorts' – they are short in length and the word itself is brief.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INSTRUCTION IS CLOTHING (to be 'briefed' is to be 'clothed' with information).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'briefs' LEAST likely to refer to underwear?