Use concise for writing, speech, or explanations that remove unnecessary words without losing meaning. It is close to succinct, but terse can sound curt and laconic suggests a deliberately spare style.
Use concise for writing, speech, or explanations that remove unnecessary words without losing meaning. It is close to succinct, but terse can sound curt and laconic suggests a deliberately spare style.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The report was concisely. | The report was concise. |
| Please concise this paragraph. | Please make this paragraph more concise. |
| She gave a concise of the meeting. | She gave a concise summary of the meeting. |
| He wrote a concisely explanation. | He wrote a concise explanation. |
Use concise before titles and reference nouns for a shorter version that keeps the main facts. It does not mean careless or incomplete, only compressed.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The concise dictionary has no useful information. | The concise dictionary has essential information in a shorter form. |
| I bought a concisely edition. | I bought a concise edition. |
| The book is concise of history. | The book is a concise history. |
| A concise manual must be vague. | A concise manual can be clear and complete for its purpose. |
Use concise for brevity that preserves the point. It praises economy, not missing detail.
Concise is an adjective, not a verb or adverb: write a concise report or write concisely.
From Latin concisus, “cut short,” the past participle of concidere, from con- and caedere, “to cut.”
What does concise mean?
Concise means brief and clear, with unnecessary words removed while the main meaning remains.
Can concise describe speech?
Yes. A reply, explanation, speech, report, or email can all be concise.
What is a concise dictionary?
A concise dictionary is a shorter reference work that gives essential information without the full detail of a larger edition.
Is concise the same as short?
Not exactly. Concise means short in a useful way, with clarity and enough information.
What is the adverb of concise?
The adverb is concisely, as in write concisely.