curtly

[ kurt-lee ]

/ ˈkɜrt li /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for curtly on Thesaurus.com

adverb

so briefly or stiffly as to seem rude or snippy; tersely: The officer saw my foreign passport and curtly ordered me to step aside. Saying nothing, she nodded curtly at me and pointed to one of the two chairs.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of curtly

curt + -ly

Words nearby curtly

curtilage, Curtin, Curtis, Curtiss, Curtius, curtly, curtsy, curule, curule chair, curvaceous, curvature

How to use curtly in a sentence

“Matt called me from the Library [bar] at 3:15 PM,” Doc told me curtly.
The Myths of Matthew Shepard’s Infamous Death|Stephen Jimenez|September 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Asked what he wanted from them, he retorted curtly, “Nothing whatsoever.”
In Syria, Rebels Without a Plan|Jamie Dettmer|September 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“He was terminated for cause on July 25,” a Fox spokesperson curtly said in a statement.
How to Get Fired in Spectacular Fashion|Nina Strochlic|August 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"He just happened to be married and he seemed to have forgotten he was married," she says, curtly.
Celebrity Mistress Convention|Tricia Romano|July 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST

"Take those men to the guardhouse," he ordered curtly, pointing an accusing finger at Hicks and Bevans.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
"No, he isn't," Mazaroff said curtly as he came into the front room and closed the door behind him.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
Lechmere explained curtly that he would see to Maxgregor's safety, after which he would follow to the queen's hotel.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
Both men curtly acknowledged Barrington's greeting, hardly conscious of the curtness maybe.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
"All men don't pay such attentions to their wives," says Caroline, curtly.
The Petty Troubles of Married Life, Complete|Honore de Balzac

curtly

Origin of curtly

Words nearby curtly

Words related to curtly

How to use curtly in a sentence