laconic

[luh-kon-ik]

adjective

1. using few words; expressing much in few words; concise.

   a laconic reply.

   Synonyms: succinct, terse, pithy, brief
   Antonyms: voluble

laconic

/ ləˈkɒnɪk /

adjective

1. (of a person's speech) using few words; terse

Other Word Forms

• laconically adverb
• unlaconic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laconic¹

1580–90; < Latin Lacōnicus < Greek Lakōnikós Laconian, equivalent to Lákōn a Laconian + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of laconic¹

C16: via Latin from Greek Lakōnikos, from Lakōn Laconian, Spartan; referring to the Spartans' terseness of speech

Example Sentences

They eventually came up with “Laconic Gallery,” for Laconia, Greece, where Martin traces his roots, and because the word laconic perfectly describes Martin’s ethos: marked by the use of few words.

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Van Loon, added: "So now and then he could come across as laconic, a bit too easy going. Maybe at times some youth managers even thought of him as lazy."

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Serving as an introduction to an engaging new artistic voice, the film captures a certain laconic, free-floating malaise and anxiety that are indicative of an emergent generational sensibility.

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The film is an evocation of character, place and time, the tempo alternating between moody and lively, like our central odd couple, laconic Benny and chatterbox Kathy.

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Garland is strongest with impressions: chirping birds over bloody lawns, the laconic humor of exhausted soldiers on a stakeout, a quick shot of Lee deleting some of her own photos, a private mode of self-care.

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Related Words

• brusque 
• pithy 
• terse