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

Other Word Forms

• conciseness noun
• concisely 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.

Example Sentences

The same reason you could call this collaboration obvious is what makes it a concise thesis on the potency of Anderson’s work over the last 11 years.

From Los Angeles Times

Each of four concise galleries has a single theme.

From Los Angeles Times

Ekitike is a player Howe knows well and, without blinking, he can reel off a concise scouting report: really good movement, intelligent, good in the air, scores goals off both feet.

From BBC

Any concise description of “Purpose” is bound to fail because the play is so multifarious and complex.

From Los Angeles Times

Over a concise 11 tracks, Adebimpe traverses heartbreak, drama, frustration and space exploration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pithy 
• succinct 
• terse