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

When we meet Dusty, the laconic protagonist of “Rebuilding,” he has already lost so much.

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He’s rough-hewn, simple, hardworking, not immune to the impermanent nature of the world but brought up short when that world goes awry; Mr. Edgerton has to give emotional depth to a laconic character.

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Mr. Mamdani would present an enticing target to a political opponent of laconic self-discipline and charitable forbearance.

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It inspired his themes—war, fear, mutilation, endurance, courage, comradeship and death—and his laconic and stoical, virile and aggressive heroes.

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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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Related Words

• brusque 
• pithy 
• terse