What does curt mean

Definition of curt

1a : sparing of words : terse wrote curt precise sentences. b : marked by rude or peremptory (see peremptory sense 3) shortness : brusque a curt refusal In a curt voice, he ordered the server to bring him a glass of water. 2 : shortened in linear dimension.

Curt often just means “terse.” In fact it comes from the Latin word curtus, which means “cut short, abridged.” But sometimes it has the added sense of being rudely short, like when you’re irritated that someone’s asking a foolish question so you give a brusque, curt response.

curtest. See word origin. Frequency: The definition of curt is a statement, response or reply that is very short and potentially rude. An example of curt is when someone asks how your day was and you snap “fine!”

Tips: While brief and concise usually carry a positive connotation, curt means “short” in a negative, often impolite, way. Think, being short and non-responsive in a rude manner. If someone is curt, it usually means he or she is short with you in a rude manner. Curt is synonymous with terse.

adjective. If you describe someone as curt, you mean that they speak or reply in a brief and rather rude way.

If someone’s manner or speech is curt, it is rude as a result of being very quick: to give a curt nod/reply.

Definition of terse

1 : using few words : devoid of superfluity a terse summary also : short, brusque dismissed me with a terse “no” 2 : smoothly elegant : polished.

Yes, curt is in the scrabble dictionary.

excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior. a courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression. indulgence, consent, or acquiescence: a “colonel” by courtesy rather than by right. favor, help, or generosity: The costumes for the play were by courtesy of the local department store. a curtsy.

terse Add to list Share. Terse means brief, or using very few words. … A terse reply or command may seem rude or unfriendly—but the word terse itself doesn’t mean unfriendly or rude. Synonyms are succinct or concise, though these words have a more positive tone.

Meaning of terseness in English. the use of few words to say something, sometimes in a way that seems rude or unfriendly: He answered with uncharacteristic terseness, “Yes, to both.”

1815–25; <Latin candēscent- (stem of candescēns, present participle of candēscere to become bright), equivalent to cand- bright (see candid) + -ēscent–escent.

As adjectives the difference between curt and terse

is that curt is brief or terse, especially to the point of being rude while terse is (obsolete) polished, burnished; smooth; fine, neat, spruce.

Concise means you take out unnecessary words. For example, write “daily,” not “on a daily basis.” Terse means you take out too many words. Terseness introduces ambiguity.

brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible: a pithy observation.

Terse means brief and cut short, it has negative connotation as it is usually associated with rudeness. Concise implies clarity and a sparse use of words to describe something succinctly. It tends to be used to describe positive traits.

As adjectives the difference between succinct and terse

is that succinct is brief and to the point while terse is (obsolete) polished, burnished; smooth; fine, neat, spruce.

As adjectives the difference between laconic and succinct

is that laconic is using as few words as possible; pithy and concise while succinct is brief and to the point.

As adjectives the difference between brief and concise

is that brief is of short duration; happening quickly while concise is brief, yet including all important information.

: not flinching or shrinking : steadfast, uncompromising unflinching determination.

/ ˈtɜrs li / PHONETIC RESPELLING. adverb. in an effectively concise manner; succinctly: This phenomenally prolific creator of tersely plotted psychological thrillers deserves to be on your bookshelves. The ordinance fulfills the tersely and clearly worded language of the city’s comprehensive plan.

1 : having or showing the ability to think clearly lucid behavior. 2 : easily understood lucid writing. Other Words from lucid.

to burn or reduce to charcoal: The fire charred the paper. to burn slightly; scorch: The flame charred the steak. verb (used without object), charred, char·ring. to become charred. noun.

not flinching; unshrinking: unflinching courage.