terse

[ turs ]

adjective

, ters·er, ters·est.

1. neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language.

   Synonyms: compendious, epigrammatic, brief, compact, succinct

2. abruptly concise; curt; brusque.

terse

/ tɜːs /

adjective

1. neatly brief and concise
2. curt; abrupt

Derived Forms

• ˈterseness, noun
• ˈtersely, adverb

Other Words From

• terse·ly adverb
• terse·ness noun
• un·terse adjective
• un·terse·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of terse¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin tersus, past participle of tergēre “to rub off, wipe off, clean, polish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of terse¹

C17: from Latin tersus precise, from tergēre to polish

Synonym Study

See concise.

Example Sentences

For instance, a terse July 29 email from the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment in Colorado said, “Currently attempting to monitor 26 dairies. 9 have refused.”

From Salon

This week, her father got a terse letter from the defence ministry in Moscow informing him that Victoria was dead, aged 27.

From BBC

Stafford was tired and terse in the wake of defeat, wearing a Hawaiian shirt that was far more festive than his mood.

From Los Angeles Times

The Israeli military initially disclosed the death in a terse statement posted on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

Then for nine months we heard nothing official - until a terse statement in April that he had resigned from the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• brusque
• concise
• cryptic
• curt
• elliptical
• incisive
• laconic
• pithy
• precise
• succinct
• trenchant