laconic
luh-KON-ik
/ləˈkɒn.ɪk/
using very few words; brief and quiet in speech.
Implies a habitual or deliberate minimalism in speech, often giving an impression of stoic detachment or supreme confidence.
The story behind the word. Refers to Laconia, the ancient Greek region home to Sparta. When Philip II of Macedon sent a message stating, 'If I invade Laconia, I will raze Sparta to the ground,' the Spartans famously sent back a single word: 'If.' That quintessential Spartan silence lives on in the word laconic.
Word relationships
- taciturn: Taciturn implies a moody or habitual disinclination to talk, while laconic implies speaking briefly but effectively when one does speak.
- reticent: Reticent means reserved due to shyness or caution, whereas laconic is a style of blunt brevity.
- garrulous: Garrulous describes someone who rambles endlessly on trivial matters.
- loquacious: Loquacious characterizes a person who talks excessively.
Commonly confused with
- curt: Curt speech is rudely abrupt, whereas laconic speech is simply spare and calm without inherent hostility.
Word family
- laconically (adverb): using very few words
- laconism (noun): a concise or brief phrase
Collocations
- laconic style
- laconic reply
- laconic soldier
- laconic prose
Example sentences
- "The old farmer was legendary for his laconic nature, rarely uttering more than three words at dinner." Character description
- "When threatened with invasion, the Spartan leaders gave a famous laconic response that echoed through history." Historical anecdote
Memory hook
LACONIC sounds like 'lack-on-ic' — a speaker who has a LACK of words on hand. Spartan silence in a single word.
When not to use
Do not use to describe written documents or books; it almost exclusively describes a person's speech or temperament.
Fun facts
- The famous 'If' reply from Sparta is considered one of the greatest burns in military history.
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