succinct

[ suhk-singkt ]

adjective

1. expressed in few words; concise; terse.
2. characterized by conciseness or verbal brevity.
3. compressed into a small area, scope, or compass.
4. Archaic.
   1. drawn up, as by a girdle.
   2. close-fitting.
   3. encircled, as by a girdle.

succinct

/ səkˈsɪŋkt /

adjective

1. marked by brevity and clarity; concise
2. compressed into a small area
3. archaic.
   1. encircled by or as if by a girdle
   2. drawn up tightly; closely fitting

Derived Forms

• sucˈcinctly, adverb
• sucˈcinctness, noun

Other Words From

• suc·cinct·ly adverb
• suc·cinct·ness noun
• un·suc·cinct adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of succinct¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin succinctus, past participle of succingere “to gird, gather up (one's clothes), prepare for action,” equivalent to suc- “under, beneath” ( suc- ) + cing(ere) “to gird, equip” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of succinct¹

C15: from Latin succinctus girt about, from succingere to gird from below, from sub- from below + cingere to gird

Synonym Study

See concise.

Example Sentences

The portion used on “60 Minutes” was “more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21 minute long segment.”

From Los Angeles Times

A collaged flier for the meeting showed a skeleton hand clutching a butterfly above a succinct description written in gothic font: “A group discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes.”

From Los Angeles Times

For this initial analysis, the researchers selected X over social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn because of its succinct, text-based format.

From Science Daily

"We used to every night fax him about 150 questions and you’d come in the next morning and there would be a succinct answer to every single one of them," he explained.

From BBC

Roberts, a veteran of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has made some of his most succinct yet passionate works to jazz.

From New York Times

Related Words

• blunt
• concise
• curt
• pithy
• terse