Briefs are a type of snug-fitting underwear that covers the area from the waist to the top of the legs. Unlike boxers, which are loose and baggy, briefs fit close to the body and provide more support.

The word also refers to short, condensed summaries of longer information. A lawyer prepares a brief that summarizes the key facts and arguments in a case. A news brief gives you the essential points of a story in just a few sentences. When your teacher asks you to brief the class on your research, you're sharing the most important points without going into every detail.

You might hear someone say they were briefed on a situation, meaning someone gave them the essential information they needed to know. A pilot gets briefed before a flight about weather conditions and flight plans. When you brief someone, you're bringing them up to speed quickly and efficiently, focusing on what matters most.