concise

/kənˈsaɪs/
brief and to the point

The report was concise, covering all key points in just two pages.

The report was short and clear, including only the most important details.


formal

expressed in few words; brief and clear

She gave a concise summary of the meeting.

She provided a short and clear summary of the meeting.

The instructions were concise and easy to follow.

The instructions were brief and straightforward.

Often used in professional or academic writing to describe clear, efficient communication.

Collocations

concise summarya brief and clear summaryconcise explanationa clear and brief explanation

Pro Tip

Avoid ambiguity

A concise statement should be clear and unambiguous, not just short.

Gold Rule

Prioritize clarity

Concise writing should convey the main idea without unnecessary words.

Word Origin

From Latin 'concīsus', past participle of 'concīdere' (to cut short), from 'con-' (together) + 'caedere' (to cut).

Usage Notes

While 'concise' and 'terse' are similar, 'concise' emphasizes clarity and completeness, whereas 'terse' may imply brevity at the expense of detail.

Word Breakdown

con-
together
prefix
+
-cise
to cut
root
English Dictionary