Words / C2

TURS/tɜːs/

Terse means very brief, often impatient: a terse reply, terse minutes. Laconic (already in the dictionary) is brief by habit, not necessarily rude; short is everyday. Curt is a close cousin of unfriendly brevity. Do not call a carefully short abstract terse unless the tone snaps.

Meaning

Using very few words, often in a way that seems impatient or unfriendly.

Examples

• “His terse “Noted.” ended the thread.”
• “His terse “Noted.” closed a thread that still needed a date.”
• “Laconic style can be elegant; terse often lands as a slap.”

Good to know

Abruptly brief. Close: curt. Habitual brevity: laconic. Everyday: short. Not a tight but polite abstract.

Near in meaning

curt

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