noun
brevity
BREV-uh-tee/ˈbrevəti/
Shortness in duration or expression.
The speaker's single index card and quick finish emphasize her remark's brevity.
Etymology
The pieces express the quality of being short. Latin brevitas covered shortness in space or time; English brevity especially applies that idea to speech and writing.
In context
do not miss the strange power sitting in how little he actually says because the sheer brevity is itself a large part of the defense.
More examples
- He sacrificed clarity for brevity.
- The brevity of the visit disappointed them.
- Despite its brevity, the storm caused damage.
Forms
brevity
brief adjective — using few words
Similar words
- conciseness
- Conciseness uses few words without unnecessary detail; brevity primarily stresses shortness.
- terseness
- Terseness can sound abrupt; brevity is neutral about tone.