curtness

IPA/ˈkɜːtnəs/
IPA/ˈkɜːrtnəs/

curtness — noun

1. a way of speaking that uses so few words and such a quick tone that it comes acr

1.名詞B2
釋義

a way of speaking that uses so few words and such a quick tone that it comes across as unfriendly or rude

例句

Eleni was surprised by the curtness of the waiter's reply.

collocation: curtness of [someone's] reply

João's curtness on the phone made his mother worry.

同義詞
  • abruptness

    focuses on suddenness and lack of warning, not necessarily rudeness

  • brusqueness

    suggests roughness or blunt force, stronger than curtness

  • shortness

    milder; a short reply may be efficient rather than rude

用法筆記

Describes the quality of a specific reply or interaction, not a permanent personality trait. Often used with 'of' to name the source (the curtness of his tone).

常見錯誤

❌The waiter's rudeness upset us when he dropped the plate.
✅The waiter's curtness upset us when he answered with just one word.
💡'curtness' is rudeness that comes from being too brief in speech, not from any rude act.