terse
TURSS
/tɜːrs/
sparing in the use of words; abrupt and sharply concise.
Often carries a slight edge of tension, frustration, or impatience, bordering on rude.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin tersus, past participle of tergere ('to wipe clean'). Originally, a terse style was 'rubbed smooth' and polished like fine marble. Over time, the meaning morphed from sleek elegance to a trimmed delivery that feels sharp and abrupt.
Word relationships
- abrupt: Abrupt stresses suddenness and unpleasant unexpectedness, whereas terse emphasizes trimmed, short words.
- brusque: Brusque refers to harsh mannerisms as well as speech, while terse specifically targets words.
- expansive: Expansive means open, detailed, and willing to speak at length.
- polite: Polite speech includes courteous flourishes that terse speech deliberately strips out.
Commonly confused with
- succinct: Succinct is clear and polished, whereas terse often sounds irritated or overly sharp.
Word family
- tersely (adverb): in a brief and abrupt manner
- terseness (noun): abrupt brevity in speech or writing
Collocations
- terse reply
- terse statement
- terse dismissal
- terse note
Example sentences
- "After the heated argument, she dismissed her assistant with a terse gesture of her hand." Conflict narrative
- "The official statement from the embassy was terse, confirming the arrest without adding further detail." News report
Memory hook
TERSE rhymes with VERSE — think of a ultra-short verse that gets wiped clean of all extra words. Wiped clean down to a sharp edge.
When not to use
Avoid using as a compliment for eloquent writing; it often implies an unpleasantly brief tone.
Fun facts
- In the 1600s, calling a gentleman's outfit 'terse' meant it was polished and immaculate.
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