Pithy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pithy

[ˈpɪθi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

writing style

Brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of substance

Synonyms

compact, concise, succinct, terse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pithy	Best used when you want to describe something that is brief yet full of meaning or substance. Often used in the context of comments, remarks, or statements that are short but impactful. He gave a pithy response that conveyed everything we needed to know Her pithy slogan captured the essence of the campaign
concise	Ideal for situations where you need to express ideas or information in few words without unnecessary detail. Commonly used in writing and speech that requires clarity and brevity. The manual provides concise instructions for assembling the furniture His speech was concise, leaving no room for misunderstandings
succinct	Useful when you want to describe communication that is clear and briefly expressed, without superfluous detail. Often used when someone needs to convey information quickly and effectively. Her email was succinct and to the point He provided a succinct summary of the meeting's key points
terse	Best used when describing a manner of speaking or writing that is brief and perhaps brusque or abrupt. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the brevity comes across as unfriendly or curt. His terse reply indicated that he was not in the mood to talk The notice was terse, simply stating 'Meeting canceled '
compact	Appropriate when referring to something that is not only brief but also efficiently organized and doesn't waste space. Often used in the context of physical objects or written text. She carried a compact laptop that fit easily into her bag The guidebook is compact, yet it contains all the essential information

Examples of usage

Her pithy remarks always get straight to the point.
His pithy one-liners are famous among his friends.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

description

Concise and forcefully expressive

Synonyms

brief, sententious, to the point.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pithy	Suitable when conveying a lot of meaning in a few words, often in a clever or effective manner. Her pithy comments won her the respect of her colleagues. The slogan was pithy and memorable.
brief	Appropriate for situations where information needs to be delivered quickly and concisely, without unnecessary details. He gave a brief overview of the project. The meeting was refreshingly brief.
to the point	Ideal when mentioning that something is direct and straightforward, focusing only on the essential information. Her feedback was clear and to the point. Let's keep the discussion to the point.
sententious	Used when describing speech or writing that is overly moralistic or self-righteous, often in a way that comes off as pompous or preachy. This word has a negative connotation. His sententious remarks annoyed the audience. The essay was filled with sententious advice.

Examples of usage

He gave a pithy summary of the main points.
The article was praised for its pithy analysis.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Many famous authors, like Hemingway, were known for their pithy writing style, emphasizing clarity and impact.
Pithy quotes often resonate deeply, such as Mark Twain’s aphorism, 'The secret of getting ahead is getting started.'
Clichés can be seen as pithy because they are often concise and easily understood, though they may lack originality.

Communication

In effective communication, using pithy statements captures attention and ensures the main point is easily remembered.
Pithy remarks often appear in speeches or presentations to create memorable moments that stick with the audience.
Popular slogans often utilize pithiness to convey a message quickly, such as Nike's 'Just Do It.'

Psychology

Pithy phrases can enhance retention in learning, making it easier to recall information later.
Using concise language helps reduce cognitive load, allowing listeners to process information more efficiently.
Research shows that people are often more persuaded by clear, direct arguments than those that are verbose.

Pop Culture

Television characters, like Yoda from Star Wars, are known for their pithy wisdom that conveys profound insights succinctly.
The popularity of social media has enhanced the use of pithy language, as platforms like Twitter thrive on brevity.
Catchphrases from famous movies often become pithy cultural references that people use to convey complex ideas simply.

Origin of 'pithy'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old English 'piþ', meaning the essential part or the core of something.
Initially used in botanical contexts referring to the soft, essential tissue of plants, it later transitioned to describe language.
By the 19th century, 'pithy' began to be regularly applied to writing that is both concise and profound.

The word 'pithy' has its origins in the Old English word 'pitha,' meaning the central core or essence of something. Over time, the meaning evolved to describe something concise yet full of substance. The word has been used in English language since the 14th century.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,614, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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24611 officiate
24612 bemused
24613 worthlessness
24614 pithy
24615 arcane
24616 malfunctions
24617 ducking
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