laconic

[ luh-kon-ik ]

adjective

1. using few words; expressing much in few words; concise:

   a laconic reply.

   Synonyms: succinct, terse, pithy, brief

   Antonyms: voluble

laconic

/ ləˈkɒnɪk /

adjective

1. (of a person's speech) using few words; terse

Derived Forms

• laˈconically, adverb

Other Words From

• la·coni·cal·ly adverb
• unla·conic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laconic¹

1580–90; < Latin Lacōnicus < Greek Lakōnikós Laconian, equivalent to Lákōn a Laconian + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of laconic¹

C16: via Latin from Greek Lakōnikos, from Lakōn Laconian, Spartan; referring to the Spartans' terseness of speech

Example Sentences

The film is an evocation of character, place and time, the tempo alternating between moody and lively, like our central odd couple, laconic Benny and chatterbox Kathy.

From Los Angeles Times

Garland is strongest with impressions: chirping birds over bloody lawns, the laconic humor of exhausted soldiers on a stakeout, a quick shot of Lee deleting some of her own photos, a private mode of self-care.

From Los Angeles Times

On “Ganger,” his breakout LP, he finds his bearings through all sorts of production styles, from bossa nova to stoner loops to wild vocal treatments, but his laconic delivery hides dense thickets of allusions.

From Los Angeles Times

He was laconic in court Monday and wore a large medical-style face mask.

From Seattle Times

His creations are laconic and sly, homing in on moments that contradict the macho football culture that still plagues many educational institutions.

From New York Times

Related Words

• brusque
• pithy
• terse