concise

/kənˈsaɪs/
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Clear and brief, or shortened to the essential information in a reference work or edition.

Examples

  • The report is clear and concise.
  • The editor asked for a more concise introduction.
  • A concise email is easier to answer.
  • A concise encyclopedia gives the essentials without long essays.
  • Her concise answer solved the problem in one sentence.

Similar words

compact
succinct
abridged
compact
condensed
pithy
terse
summary
brief
laconic

Meanings

Brief and clear

adjective
communication
neutral
Using few words while still saying what is needed clearly.

Examples

  • Her concise answer solved the problem in one sentence.
  • The report is clear and concise.
  • A concise email is easier to answer.
  • The editor asked for a more concise introduction.
  • His notes were concise but still complete.

Similar words

Short reference version

adjective
publishing
neutral
Containing the essential information in a shortened form, especially of a dictionary, manual, grammar, or edition.

Examples

  • The Concise Oxford Dictionary fits easily on a small desk.
  • A concise encyclopedia gives the essentials without long essays.
  • The course uses a concise grammar for quick revision.
  • She bought the concise edition instead of the full three-volume set.
  • The concise manual covers the main controls in fifty pages.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin concisus, “cut short,” the past participle of concidere, from con- and caedere, “to cut.”

FAQ

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.

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