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.

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pithy British  

/ ˈpɪθɪ /

adjective

1. terse and full of meaning or substance

2. of, resembling, or full of pith

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Other Word Forms

• pithily adverb
• pithiness noun

Etymology

Origin of pithy

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

Example Sentences

Under Ms. Zambello’s pithy direction, those ensnared in the juggernaut can only lose.

From The Wall Street Journal

A three-judge panel on Thursday rejected the request in a pithy unsigned order.

From The Wall Street Journal

“As goes January, so goes the year,” is a pithy version of the concept.

From Barron's

But like film, this pithy observation is often misinterpreted.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• cogent
• concise
• laconic
• succinct
• terse
• trenchant