Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Brief and to the point; effectively concise: Using few words to express an idea clearly, sometimes to the point of seeming abrupt or lacking warmth.
   • Curt or laconic in style: Characterized by a style of speech or writing that is notably short and direct, potentially bordering on rudeness due to its brevity.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • Her terse email contained only the essential facts: "Meeting at 3 PM. Bring report."
  • The officer gave a terse nod and walked away, ending the conversation.
  • The author's writing style is famously terse, with no unnecessary adjectives or flourishes.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Terse often implies efficiency but can carry a negative connotation of brusqueness or impatience, depending on context.
  • His terse apology—"My mistake"—did little to soothe her feelings.
• It is frequently used to describe communication under pressure or where time is limited.
  • In an emergency, instructions must be clear and terse.

Variants and Related Words

• Tersely (adverb): In a terse manner.
  • "No," she replied tersely.
• Terseness (noun): The quality of being terse.
  • The terseness of the message left room for misunderstanding.

Synonyms

• Concise: Expressing much in few words (generally positive).
• Succinct: Briefly and clearly expressed.
• Laconic: Using very few words, often implying a deliberate or mysterious brevity.
• Curt: Rudely brief (generally negative).

Antonyms

• Verbose: Using more words than needed.
• Prolix: Extending to great, tedious length.
• Wordy: Using too many words.

Idiomatic Usage

• While "terse" itself is not commonly the core of idioms, it describes the style of many idiomatic expressions of brevity.
  • "The less said, the better" is a terse piece of advice.

Adjective

1. brief and to the point; effectively cut short; `yes'"
   • a crisp retort
   • a response so curt as to be almost rude
   • the laconic reply
   • short and terse and easy to understand