epigrammatic

[ ep-i-gruh-mat-ik ]

adjective

1. of or like an epigram; terse and ingenious in expression.
2. containing or favoring the use of epigrams.

Other Words From

• epi·gram·mati·cal·ly adverb
• ep·i·gram·ma·tism [ep-i-, gram, -, uh, -tiz-, uh, m], noun
• nonep·i·gram·matic adjective
• nonep·i·gram·mati·cal·ly adverb
• unep·i·gram·matic adjective
• unep·i·gram·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of epigrammatic¹

1695–1705; < Latin epigrammaticus < Greek epigrammatikós, equivalent to epigrammat- (stem of epígramma ) epigram + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

But he does remember hearing the warm laughter after his first barbed, epigrammatic zinger, and realizing that he could, in fact, do this.

From Los Angeles Times

For the next 10 minutes or so, Godard, smoking his familiar cigar, meditates on this vexing, evergreen question with his characteristic intelligence, opacity and epigrammatic wit.

From New York Times

The book, Dwight writes, is “sly,” “devious,” by turns “helplessly epigrammatic” and “completely great, except for when it isn’t.”

From New York Times

While the Adams style generated a host of memorable epigrammatic flashes, it was the worst-possible vehicle for sustaining the diplomatic niceties.

From Literature

Husson films “Mothering Sunday” in extreme close-ups and quick, epigrammatic shots, jumping back and forth in time to Jane and Josh’s meeting “before the boys were killed,” and forward to the 1950s and beyond.

From Washington Post