Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Concise, clever, and often witty in expression: Describes a style of writing or speech that is brief, pointed, and memorable, resembling an epigram. It often conveys a sharp observation, satirical comment, or insightful truth in a very condensed form.
   • Aphoristic or maxim-like: Characteristic of or resembling an aphorism or maxim; expressing a general truth or principle in a pithy, memorable way.

Usage

The adjective "epigrammatic" is used to describe language, style, or remarks that are notably brief, forceful, and witty. It is a formal term often applied to literary criticism, rhetoric, or descriptions of someone's characteristic mode of expression.

Examples

• Describing writing or speech:
  • The author's epigrammatic style made his essays both enjoyable and thought-provoking.
  • She has a talent for epigrammatic observations that capture the essence of a situation.
• Describing a specific remark:
  • His epigrammatic comment, "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history," was widely quoted.
  • The review was praised for its epigrammatic brilliance.

Advanced Usage

• "epigrammatic quality": Refers to the characteristic of being concise and witty.
  • The speech lacked substance but was saved by its epigrammatic quality.
• "in an epigrammatic vein": Writing or speaking in a style characterized by epigrams.
  • The poet concluded the piece in an epigrammatic vein.

Variants and Related Words

• Epigram (n): A concise, clever, and often paradoxical statement or poem.
  • Oscar Wilde was a master of the epigram.
• Epigrammatist (n): A writer of epigrams.
  • He was known as a sharp-tongued epigrammatist.
• Epigrammatically (adv): In an epigrammatic manner.
  • He stated it epigrammatically: "Less is more."

Synonyms

• Aphoristic: Relating to or containing aphorisms; concise and instructive.
• Pithy: Concise and forcefully expressive.
• Terse: Sparing in the use of words; abrupt.
• Laconic: Using very few words.
• Witty: Showing quick and inventive verbal humor.

Antonyms

• Prolix: Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy.
• Verbose: Using more words than needed; wordy.
• Discursive: Digressing from subject to subject; rambling.

Related Phrases and Idioms

(While "epigrammatic" itself is not typically part of phrasal verbs or common idioms, it is central to describing a style of expression.) - To have an epigrammatic turn of phrase: To be habitually concise and witty in expression. - The columnist was famous for having an epigrammatic turn of phrase.

Adjective

1. terse and witty and like a maxim
   • much given to apothegmatic instruction