Dictionary

laconic

adjective la·con·ic \lə-ˈkä-nik\

: using few words in speech or writing

Full Definition of LACONIC

:  using or involving the use of a minimum of words :  concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
la·con·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Examples of LACONIC

  1. We would rather have a smiling, shape-shifting Democrat we don't trust than a frowning, laconic Republican we trust more. —Maureen Dowd, New York Times, 10 Oct. 1996

Origin of LACONIC

Latin laconicus Spartan, from Greek lakōnikos; from the Spartan reputation for terseness of speech
First Known Use: 1589

Synonym Discussion of LACONIC

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>.

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