Conciseness: meaning, definitions and examples
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conciseness
[kənˈsaɪsnəs ]
Definitions
writing style
The quality of being brief and to the point; expressing much in few words.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| conciseness |
When you want to emphasize clarity and the use of as few words as possible to convey an idea, especially in writing or speaking.
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| brevity |
Often used in the context of time, highlighting the briefness or short duration of speech or written content.
|
| succinctness |
When you want to convey something clearly and precisely, without unnecessary words.
|
| terse |
Used when a message is very short and direct, often with a blunt or unfriendly tone. This word sometimes has a negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- His writing style is known for its conciseness.
- She appreciated the conciseness of the report.
communication
The quality of being concise in speech or expression.
Synonyms
laconicism, pithiness, terseness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| conciseness |
Appropriate in academic or formal writing where conveying information with few words without losing meaning is essential.
|
| pithiness |
Effective for describing writing or speech that is concise and full of substance or meaning. It's often used with a positive connotation, suggesting wit or insightful clarity.
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| laconicism |
Best used to describe a style of speaking or writing that is very brief and often seems indifferent or blunt; can carry a slightly negative or disinterested connotation.
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| terseness |
Typically refers to a style of speaking or writing that is brief to the point of being abrupt or curt. Often carries a negative connotation, indicating lack of warmth or friendliness.
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Examples of usage
- Her conciseness in the presentation was impressive.
- Conciseness is essential in public speaking.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'conciseness' comes from the Latin word 'concise', which means cut down or shortened.
- The root 'con-' means together and 'caedo' means to cut, symbolizing cutting down words to make them shorter.
- It entered the English language in the late 14th century, reflecting a growing value for clarity over complexity.
Writing Techniques
- Conciseness is a key principle in effective writing, helping to maintain a reader's attention and reduce misunderstanding.
- Many famous authors, including Ernest Hemingway, are known for their concise writing style, making their work impactful.
- In digital communication, like emails and texts, being concise is crucial due to limited attention span and time.
Cultural Impact
- Organizations like TED Talks emphasize conciseness, encouraging speakers to deliver strong messages in under 18 minutes.
- Social media platforms promote brevity; for instance, Twitter's character limit encourages users to be concise.
- The popularity of memes often stems from their concise and humorous approach to communication.
Educational Practices
- In education, conciseness is taught as a vital skill for students to develop clear writing and speaking abilities.
- The ability to present ideas concisely can significantly improve writing scores in standardized tests.
- Teachers often use 'write less, say more' as a principle to encourage students to refine their expression.
Psychology
- Research shows that concise messaging can enhance comprehension and retention of information.
- People often perceive concise speakers as more confident and competent compared to those who use filler words.
- Studying how people respond to concise versus verbose messages can reveal insights into communication preferences.
Translations
Translations of the word "conciseness" in other languages:
🇵🇹 concisão
🇮🇳 संक्षिप्तता
🇩🇪 Kürze
🇮🇩 kekonkretan
🇺🇦 стислість
🇵🇱 zwięzłość
🇯🇵 簡潔さ (kanketsu-sa)
🇫🇷 concision
🇪🇸 concisión
🇹🇷 özlülük
🇰🇷 간결함 (gan-gyeolham)
🇸🇦 إيجاز (ijaz)
🇨🇿 stručnost
🇸🇰 stručnosť
🇨🇳 简洁 (jiǎnjié)
🇸🇮 jedrnatost
🇮🇸 stuttleiki
🇰🇿 ықшамдылық
🇬🇪 ლაკონურობა (lakonuroba)
🇦🇿 qısalıq
🇲🇽 concisión