Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of epigrammatic
1695–1705; < Latin epigrammaticus < Greek epigrammatikós, equivalent to epigrammat- (stem of epígramma ) epigram + -ikos -ic
Explanation
Something that's epigrammatic is short and clever. An aphorism or maxim — a witty, concise saying — is epigrammatic. A poem, statement, or joke that's short and sweet is epigrammatic. Dorothy Parker wrote, "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone,” and many other epigrammatic phrases. Oscar Wilde was also known for clever epigrammatic writing, such as "I can resist anything except temptation." You can call both examples epigrams, "clever, pithy sayings," from the Greek root epigramma, "inscription in verse."
Vocabulary lists containing epigrammatic
The Big Thirst
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Founding Brothers
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ms. Cusk’s signal strength is her spotless, epigrammatic prose.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
During the long development section of “Trio,” I adore a few briefer groupings of notes that reflect Young’s early enthusiasm for the Second Viennese School — particularly Webern’s epigrammatic style.
From New York Times ● Mar. 24, 2022
Grant unfolds her story in epigrammatic fashion, moving gracefully in time, drawing parallels between multiple generations.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 28, 2020
And yet, line for line, her epigrammatic style perhaps most recalls that of Emily Dickinson in its radical compression of images and ideas into a few chiseled lines.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 2, 2020
While the Adams style generated a host of memorable epigrammatic flashes, it was the worst-possible vehicle for sustaining the diplomatic niceties.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
