Word part · Latin root
Brev root words: meaning and 13 examples
In short
The Latin root brev (from Latin) means "short". It is also spelled brief. Words with it include brevity, briefly, briefcase, briefcases, briefing and briefed. English kept two spellings: brev in brevity and abbreviate, and brief as an everyday word of its own.
- Part
- brev
- Meaning
- short
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- brief
- Words listed
- 13
English kept two spellings: brev in brevity and abbreviate, and brief as an everyday word of its own.
Words with the Latin root brev
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| briefly | brief (root or base)+ly (suffix)→briefly | for a short time, or in few words |
More words: brief
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| brevity | brev (root or base)+ity (suffix)→brevity | the quality of being short |
| briefcases | brief (root or base)+case (root or base)+s (suffix)→briefcases | more than one briefcase |
| briefed | brief (root or base)+ed (suffix)→briefed | given the main facts in a short talk |
| briefer | brief (root or base)+er (suffix)→briefer | shorter |
| debrief | de (prefix)+brief (root or base)→debrief | ask someone short questions about a job just done |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| briefcase | brief (root or base)+case (root or base)→briefcase | a flat case for carrying papers |
| briefing | brief (root or base)+ing (suffix)→briefing | a short meeting that gives the main facts |
| briefest | brief (root or base)+est (suffix)→briefest | the shortest |
More words: abbreviate, abbreviated, abbreviation
Where does brev sit in a word?
A root can come first, last or in the middle. Students who only look at the start of a word miss half of these.
- At the start:
- brevity, briefly, briefcase, briefcases, briefing, briefed, briefer, briefest
- At the end:
- debrief
How do you teach the root brev?
Brev means short, and the word brief carries the same root in a spelling students already know. Start with brief: a brief visit is a short one. Then show brevity, which names the quality of being short, and abbreviate, which means to make a word shorter. Students love abbreviations, so have them list a few they use, like Mr. and Dr., and explain each as a shortened word.
A quick routine
Write brief and brevity side by side and say, "Same root, two spellings. Both mean short." Ask the student to read briefly, briefcase and briefing and tell you what is short in each. A briefcase holds short papers, a briefing is a short talk. Then write abbreviation and say, "Find the short part." Finish by having the student abbreviate three words, such as Monday, inch and street.
What do students mix up with brev?
Students sometimes think briefcase means a case that is short. The case isn't short; it was named for carrying briefs, short legal papers. That's a good story to tell. The other confusion is spelling: abbreviate has two b's because the prefix ab joined brev. Have the student say ab, brev, iate to see where the double b comes from.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the root brev mean?
Brev means "short". It is a Latin root, also spelled brief. English kept two spellings: brev in brevity and abbreviate, and brief as an everyday word of its own.
What are some words with the root brev?
Start with briefly and brief. Then move to brevity, briefcases, briefcase and briefing. This page lists 13 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why does abbreviate have two b's?
The prefix ab (toward) joined the root brev, and both b's stayed. So abbreviate means to bring toward short, or make shorter.
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