Pithy: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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
• '

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

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.

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.

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.

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.