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Synonyms

pithy

American  
[pith-ee] / ˈpɪθ i /

adjective

pithier, pithiest

  1. brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible.

    a pithy observation.
    Synonyms:
    concise, meaty, pointed, succinct

  2. of, like, or abounding in pith.

pithy British  
/ ˈpɪθɪ /

adjective

  1. terse and full of meaning or substance

  2. of, resembling, or full of pith

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • pithily adverb
  • pithiness noun

Etymology

Origin of pithy

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; pith, -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During her club gigs, Ms. Smith introduced a sharper, original approach to rock that was raw and pithy, salted with hidden references to 1960s girl groups, R&B balladeers and garage-rock bands.

From The Wall Street Journal

Truly, the wise founder had a pithy saying for most, if not all, occasions.

From Literature

He was full of pithy sayings like that.”

From Literature

Just hearing the word “penny” made her think of Miss Mortimer, who no doubt would be full of excellent and pithy advice right now.

From Literature

Could they repeat a few pithy phrases in Latin?

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.