succinct

[suhk-singkt]

adjective

1. expressed in few words; concise; terse.

2. characterized by conciseness or verbal brevity.

3. compressed into a small area, scope, or compass.

4. Archaic.

   1. drawn up, as by a girdle.

   2. close-fitting.

   3. encircled, as by a girdle.

succinct

/ səkˈsɪŋkt /

adjective

1. marked by brevity and clarity; concise

2. compressed into a small area

3. archaic

   1. encircled by or as if by a girdle

   2. drawn up tightly; closely fitting

Other Word Forms

• succinctly adverb
• succinctness noun
• unsuccinct adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of succinct¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin succinctus, past participle of succingere “to gird, gather up (one's clothes), prepare for action,” equivalent to suc- “under, beneath” ( suc- ) + cing(ere) “to gird, equip” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of succinct¹

C15: from Latin succinctus girt about, from succingere to gird from below, from sub- from below + cingere to gird

Synonym Study

See concise.

Example Sentences

But, as financial and economics writer Morgan Harman notes in a succinct essay, the benefits of feeding the hungry go far beyond the obvious immediate economic ones:

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Jamie Noon's explanation of the excitement around Red Bull's imminent takeover of Newcastle is succinct - but accurate.

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Producers used different portions of her answer on two programs: a convoluted response on CBS’ Sunday morning show “Face the Nation,” and a more succinct part on “60 Minutes.”

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The following night, “60 Minutes” ran the second part of her answer, which was forceful and succinct.

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An organizer from the South- and Southwest-centered labor movement Organized Power in Numbers gave participants succinct phrases to deter ICE and explained that anything they say can be used against them.

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Related Words

• blunt 
• concise 
• curt 
• pithy 
• terse