terse

/tɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɚs] /tɜːrs/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɚs] /ˈtərs How to pronounce terse (audio)/ (ame, mw)

terse — 形容詞

  • tersepositive
  • tersercomparative
  • tersestsuperlative

1. speaking or writing in very few words, often giving the impression of being abru

1.形容詞C1
釋義

簡短生硬

用字極少且顯得無禮或冷淡

speaking or writing in very few words, often giving the impression of being abrupt or unfriendly

例句

Obi's terse reply made it clear he did not want to talk.

Obi 的簡短回覆清楚表明他不想談話。

collocation: terse reply

The librarian answered every question with a terse 'yes' or 'no.'

圖書館員只用一句生硬的「是」或「不是」回答每個問題。

terse + one-word answer

同義詞
  • curt

    more explicitly rude; suggests the speaker is annoyed

  • brusque

    emphasises an abrupt, impatient manner more than word count

  • laconic

    often describes a personality trait of using few words, not necessarily rude

  • concise

    the positive counterpart — brief but complete and well-organised

反義詞

用法筆記

Often carries a negative tone of rudeness or impatience. Distinguish from 'concise,' which is positive and means giving necessary information without unnecessary words.

常見錯誤

❌Her report was terse and well-written.
✅Her report was concise and well-written.
💡'terse' suggests abruptness or unfriendliness; use 'concise' when you mean brief in a good way.