B2 adjective Neutral

briefing

/ˈbriːfɪŋ/

Describing something used for or relating to a meeting or document that provides essential information or instructions. It typically refers to materials or sessions intended to prepare someone for a specific task or situation.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I read the briefing email before heading to the community volunteer event.

I read the briefing email before heading to the community volunteer event.

2

The ambassador received a formal briefing report regarding the diplomatic crisis.

The ambassador received a formal briefing report regarding the diplomatic crisis.

3

Check the briefing doc I sent you on Slack for the project details.

Check the briefing doc I sent you on Slack for the project details.

Word Family

Noun
briefing
Verb
brief
Adverb
briefly
Adjective
briefing
Related
brevity
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'brief' case; the 'briefing' documents inside help you prepare 'briefly' but effectively for a big meeting.

Quick Quiz

The manager handed out the _______ papers ten minutes before the presentation began.

Correct!

The correct answer is: briefing

Examples

1

I read the briefing email before heading to the community volunteer event.

everyday

I read the briefing email before heading to the community volunteer event.

2

The ambassador received a formal briefing report regarding the diplomatic crisis.

formal

The ambassador received a formal briefing report regarding the diplomatic crisis.

3

Check the briefing doc I sent you on Slack for the project details.

informal

Check the briefing doc I sent you on Slack for the project details.

4

In the study, participants were given a briefing packet outlining the experiment's ethical guidelines.

academic

In the study, participants were given a briefing packet outlining the experiment's ethical guidelines.

5

The briefing session helped the sales team understand the new quarterly targets.

business

The sales team understanding the new quarterly targets was helped by the briefing session.

Word Family

Noun
briefing
Verb
brief
Adverb
briefly
Adjective
briefing
Related
brevity

Common Collocations

briefing note briefing note
briefing session briefing session
briefing paper briefing paper
briefing materials briefing materials
briefing room briefing room

Common Phrases

press briefing

an event where information is given to journalists

intelligence briefing

a report on secret or strategic information

pre-flight briefing

instructions given before a flight

Often Confused With

briefing vs debriefing

A briefing happens before an event to provide instructions, whereas a debriefing happens after an event to review what occurred.

briefing vs brief

Brief is a general adjective meaning short, while briefing specifically relates to the act of informing or instructing.

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Usage Notes

The word is most often used as a noun, but when used as an adjective, it functions as an attributive modifier before nouns like 'note', 'session', or 'document'. It implies a sense of preparation and concise delivery of facts.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'briefing' to describe the length of an object (e.g., 'a briefing stick') instead of its informative purpose. Use 'brief' for duration and 'briefing' for instructional context.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'brief' case; the 'briefing' documents inside help you prepare 'briefly' but effectively for a big meeting.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the verb 'brief', which comes from the Old French 'bref', ultimately from the Latin 'brevis' meaning short.

Grammar Patterns

Usually used as an attributive adjective (before a noun) Non-gradable (you cannot have a 'very briefing' document) Derived from the present participle of the verb 'to brief'
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Cultural Context

The concept of a 'briefing' is central to military and corporate culture in the English-speaking world, where efficiency and being 'on the same page' are highly valued.

Quick Quiz

The manager handed out the _______ papers ten minutes before the presentation began.

Correct!

The correct answer is: briefing

Related Words

inautoency

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Describing a state of being incapable of self-initiated action or lacking independent agency. It refers to systems, behaviors, or individuals that remain passive and require an external trigger or command to function.

ancarny

C1

Relating to deep, ancient instincts or primal physical sensations that evoke a sense of mystery or unsettling familiarity. It describes behaviors or feelings that seem to be inherited from prehistoric ancestors and manifest in modern contexts.

tripendward

C1

Describing a trajectory, movement, or orientation directed toward a three-fold suspension or a point supported by three distinct anchors. It characterizes an object or path that leans toward a junction where three entities or supports meet.

synacrness

C1

Describing a quality of simultaneous acute precision and synchronized coordination. It refers to the state where multiple sharp or intense elements occur at once with perfect alignment.

unmalance

C1

A state of persistent or structural lack of equilibrium, specifically when this lack of balance leads to a detrimental or inefficient outcome. It is often used in technical or test-specific environments to describe systems where the distribution of elements is intentionally or erroneously skewed.

comtermness

C1

To engage in the process of establishing common terminology or shared linguistic understanding within a specific group. It involves negotiating and refining definitions to ensure all parties are aligned on technical concepts.

semifinism

C1

Relating to a state of partial completion or an intermediate stage in a process where a final goal is reached in function but not in form. It describes something that is operational yet lacks the definitive polish or finality of a completed work.

revaltion

C1

A revelation is the act of revealing or disclosing a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made in a dramatic way. It can also refer to a divine or supernatural disclosure of information to humanity.

bifugcy

C1

To divide or branch into two distinct, often divergent paths or outcomes, typically used in contexts involving complex decision-making or evolutionary processes. It implies a definitive split where the resulting entities develop independently and no longer overlap.

intravictship

C1

Describing the internal relations, dynamics, or psychological states that exist within a group sharing a common victory or high-status achievement. It refers specifically to the nuances of interaction between members who are part of the same successful collective.

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