pithy

[pith-ee]

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.

pithy

/ ˈpɪθɪ /

adjective

1. terse and full of meaning or substance

2. of, resembling, or full of pith

Other Word Forms

• pithily adverb
• pithiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pithy¹

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

Example Sentences

"There's a touch too much auto-tune on her voice at times, but no doubting her ability to convey raw emotion with sharp, pithy pop."

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There’s no pressure to make pithy and profound comments.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I am absolutely clear that no one is irreplaceable," was another pithy expression.

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“Apple and Amazon have started serving the same disinformation podcast features I had opposed at Spotify,” Young said in a pithy note in 2022.

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He even has a pithy new slogan: "If they spit, we hit."

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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