succinct

American  

[suhk-singkt] / səkˈsɪŋkt /

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.

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succinct British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See concise.

Other Word Forms

• succinctly adverb
• succinctness noun
• unsuccinct adjective

Etymology

Origin of succinct

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

Example Sentences

One smart strategy: Upload your draft of a review and ask the system for help improving clarity, making a particular section more succinct or softening the tone, for example.

From The Wall Street Journal

The correct and succinct answer, I would argue, is no.

From Salon

Asked for his take on dealing with the cryptocurrency world, Cottrill was succinct.

From Barron's

He answered several questions with a succinct “I’ve got nothing for you on that.”

From Barron's

When Curt Cignetti arrived at Indiana as the latest coach charged with turning around the program with the most losses in college football history, he offered a succinct self-appraisal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blunt
• concise
• curt
• pithy
• terse