First Known Use: circa 1590
Dictionary
concise
adjective con·cise \kən-ˈsīs\
: using few words : not including extra or unnecessary information
Full Definition of CONCISE
: marked by brevity of expression or statement : free from all elaboration and superfluous detail <a concise report> <a concise definition>
— con·cise·ly adverb
— con·cise·ness noun
See concise defined for English-language learners
See concise defined for kids
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Examples of CONCISE
- That is as clean and concise a summation of a profound and complicated truth as I have come across … —David Noonan, Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2008
- Frye's wit was concise and dry, his erudition compendious. —Robert M. Adams, New York Times Book Review, 31 Mar. 1991
- “I am glad, Mrs. Butler,'' was the neighbour's concise answer. —Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Midlothian, 1818
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Origin of CONCISE
Latin concisus, from past participle of concidere to cut up, from com- + caedere to cut, strike
Related to CONCISE
- Synonyms
- aphoristic, apothegmatic, brief, capsule, compact, compendious, crisp, curt, elliptical (or elliptic), epigrammatic, laconic, monosyllabic, pithy, sententious, succinct, summary, telegraphic, terse, thumbnail
- Antonyms
- circuitous, circumlocutory, diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy
Synonym Discussion of CONCISE
concise, terse, succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very brief in statement or expression. concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative <a concise description>. terse implies pointed conciseness <a terse reply>. succinct implies the greatest possible compression <a succinct letter of resignation>. laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious <an aloof and laconic stranger>. summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation <a summary listing of the year's main events>. pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance <a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners>. compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment <a compendious dictionary>.
Rhymes with CONCISE
CONCISENESS Defined for Kids
concise
adjective con·cise \kən-ˈsīs\
Definition of CONCISE for Kids
: expressing much in few words <a concise description>
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Next Word in the Dictionary: concisionPrevious Word in the Dictionary: concipientAll Words Near: concise
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