short-spoken
Definition
Adjective: short-spoken describes a person who speaks in a curt, abrupt, or unfriendly manner, often using very few words. It implies a lack of patience or a tendency to be brusque in conversation.
Usage Examples
- (The receptionist spoke in an unfriendly, abrupt way.)
- (He becomes curt and uses few words when fatigued.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be short-spoken with someone": to address someone in a brusque or dismissive manner.
- She was short-spoken with the reporter, ending the interview abruptly. (She spoke curtly to the reporter.)
Variants and Related Words
- Short-spokenness (noun): the quality or state of being short-spoken.
- His short-spokenness made it difficult to have a pleasant conversation. (His habit of speaking curtly hindered friendly interaction.)
- Short (adj): brief; not long (used alone, it can imply curtness in context, but "short-spoken" is the specific compound).
- His reply was short and cold. (His reply was brief and unfriendly.)
Synonyms
- Curt: rudely brief.
- She gave a curt nod and walked away.
- Brusque: abrupt in manner; blunt.
- The doctor was brusque with his patients, offering no comforting words.
- Terse: using few words; often to the point of being rude.
- His terse response ended the discussion.
Related Idioms
- "Cut someone short": to interrupt someone or stop them from speaking.
- He cut her short before she could explain. (He interrupted her abruptly, similar in tone to being short-spoken.)
Notes on Usage
- "Short-spoken" is less common than "curt" or "brusque" but carries the same negative connotation of unfriendliness. It is typically used to describe a person's habitual or temporary manner of speaking.