Terse

/tɜːrs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
sparing in the use of words; abrupt.
His terse reply left no room for further discussion.
brief and concise in expression.
The report was terse but informative, getting straight to the point.
often seeming rude or unfriendly due to the brevity of expression.
She was taken aback by his terse tone during the meeting.

Etymology

From Latin 'tersus', meaning 'wiped off, polished, clean'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

terse response:
A response that is brief and may seem curt or abrupt.
terse style:
A way of writing or speaking that is very concise and avoids superfluous details.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Short and blunt
That text you sent was really terse, didn't leave me much to go on.
No fluff
I appreciate someone who can be terse, just get to the point.