WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
terse /tɜrs/USA pronunciation
adj., ters•er, ters•est.
terse•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- short and to the point;
brief:a terse message to head straight for the war zone. - sharply and impolitely or rudely short;
brusque:Her response was a terse rejection.
terse•ness, n. [uncountable]
- See concise.
terse
(tûrs),USA pronunciation adj. ters•er, ters•est.
terse′ly, adv.
terse′ness, n.
- neatly or effectively concise;
brief and pithy, as language. - abruptly concise;
curt;
brusque.
- Latin tersus, past participle of tergēre to rub off, wipe off, clean, polish
- 1595–1605
terse′ness, n.
- 1. succinct, compact, neat, concentrated. 1. 2. See concise.
'tersely' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):