concise

[ kuhn-sahys ]

adjective

1. expressing or covering much in few words; brief in form but comprehensive in scope; succinct; terse:

   a concise explanation of the company's retirement plan.

   Synonyms: laconic, compendious, pithy

concise

/ kənˈsaɪs /

adjective

1. expressing much in few words; brief and to the point

Derived Forms

• conˈciseness, noun
• conˈcisely, adverb

Other Words From

• con·cise·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of concise¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin concīsus “cut short” (past participle of concīdere ), equivalent to con- con- + -cīd- (combining form of caedere “to cut”) + -tus past participle ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of concise¹

C16: from Latin concīsus cut up, cut short, from concīdere to cut to pieces, from caedere to cut, strike down

Synonym Study

Concise, succinct, terse all refer to speech or writing that uses few words to say much. Concise usually implies that unnecessary details or verbiage have been eliminated from a more wordy statement: a concise summary of the speech. Succinct, on the other hand, implies that the message is as originally composed and is expressed in as few words as possible: a succinct statement of the problem. Terse sometimes suggests brevity combined with wit or polish to produce particularly effective expression: a terse, almost aphoristic, style. It may also suggest brusqueness or curtness: a terse reply that was almost rude.

Related Words

• pithy
• succinct
• terse