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concise

adjective
con·​cise | \ kÉ™n-ˈsÄ«s How to pronounce concise (audio) \

Definition of concise

: marked by brevity of expression or statement : free from all elaboration and superfluous detail a concise report a concise definition
Other Words from concise Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about concise

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Other Words from concise

concisely adverb
conciseness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for concise

concise, terse, succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very brief in statement or expression. concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative. a concise description terse implies pointed conciseness. a terse reply succinct implies the greatest possible compression. a succinct letter of resignation laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious. an aloof and laconic stranger summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation. a summary listing of the year's main events pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance. a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment. a compendious dictionary

Did You Know?

Many students think that adding unnecessary sentences with long words will make their writing more impressive. But in fact almost every reader values concision, since concise writing is usually easier to read, better thought out, and better organized—that is, simply better writing. Words such as short don't have the full meaning of concise, which usually means not just "brief" but "packed with information".

Examples of concise in a Sentence

That is as clean and concise a summation of a profound and complicated truth as I have come across … — David Noonan, Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2008 Frye's wit was concise and dry, his erudition compendious. — Robert M. Adams, New York Times Book Review, 31 Mar. 1991 "I am glad, Mrs. Butler," was the neighbour's concise answer. — Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Midlothian, 1818 a clear and concise account of the accident a concise article on violence in the media that manages to say more than most books on the subject
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Build a village, and be clear and concise in your ask for help. — Christina Stembel, Quartz at Work, "Creating Farmgirl Flowers taught me my high school education is more than enough," 29 Aug. 2019 Her awards include the 2018 Clarion Award, symbolizing excellence in clear, concise communications. — Julie Jason, The Mercury News, "Julie Jason: Enrolled agents are another option for tax help," 25 Aug. 2019 To see what might be possible, call your airline’s frequent flier desk, be polite and concise, and your account might be given a new lease on life. — Eric Rosen, Condé Nast Traveler, "12 Easy (and Cheap) Ways To Keep Your Miles and Points From Expiring," 14 Aug. 2019 Yet her concise, focused approach won plenty of praise from observers because too many members of Congress don’t do this well. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Please Don’t Blow the Mueller Hearings," 23 July 2019 His later work, written in prose, mixing realistic and fantastic elements, is made up of little stories full of poetry that tend to be as concise and tightly structured as verse. — Charles Simic, chicagotribune.com, "Charles Simic reflects on what set James Tate’s late poetry apart," 17 July 2019 His later work, written in prose, mixing realistic and fantastic elements, is made up of little stories full of poetry that tend to be as concise and tightly structured as verse. — Charles Simic, Washington Post, "Charles Simic reflects on what set James Tate’s late poetry apart," 12 July 2019 Keep your vows to a maximum of 2-3 minutes, and don't be afraid to write down your thoughts to keep your vows concise and focused. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need to Know to Write Your Own Wedding Vows," 5 June 2019 Writing clear, concise and accurate briefs for film-makers. — The Economist, "Job listing: Data researcher for Economist Films," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'concise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of concise

circa 1590, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for concise

Latin concisus, from past participle of concidere to cut up, from com- + caedere to cut, strike

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More Definitions for concise

concise

adjective
How to pronounce concise (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of concise

: using few words : not including extra or unnecessary information

See the full definition for concise in the English Language Learners Dictionary

concise

adjective
con·​cise | \ kÉ™n-ˈsÄ«s How to pronounce concise (audio) \

Kids Definition of concise

: expressing much in few words a concise description

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