terse

[turs]

adjective

terser, tersest 

1. neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language.

   Synonyms: compendious, epigrammatic, brief, compact, succinct

2. abruptly concise; curt; brusque.

terse

/ tɜːs /

adjective

1. neatly brief and concise

2. curt; abrupt

Other Word Forms

• tersely adverb
• terseness noun
• unterse adjective
• unterseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of terse¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin tersus, past participle of tergēre “to rub off, wipe off, clean, polish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of terse¹

C17: from Latin tersus precise, from tergēre to polish

Synonym Study

See concise.

Example Sentences

The late-night program has been dark since Wednesday, when the Disney-owned ABC network announced in a terse statement that it will be “preempted indefinitely.”

From Los Angeles Times

The late-night program has been dark since Wednesday, when the Disney-owned network announced in a terse statement that it will be “preempted indefinitely.”

From Los Angeles Times

When announcing the deal, Newcastle issued a terse 37-word statement on the club website.

From BBC

You expect a terse “fine,” so you may proceed to some other triviality like sports or the weather.

From Salon

The terse decisions have been often followed by an angry and lengthy dissent from the three liberals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brusque 
• concise 
• cryptic 
• curt 
• elliptical 
• incisive 
• laconic 
• pithy 
• precise 
• succinct 
• trenchant