Laconic: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:05, 4 March 2026

English

Etymology

From Latin Lacōnicus (“Spartan”), from Ancient Greek Λακωνικός (“Laconian”). Laconia was the region inhabited and ruled by the Spartans, who were known for their brevity in speech.

Pronunciation

RP: /ləˈkɒnɪk/
General American: /ləˈkɑnɪk/

Adjective

(of speech or writing) Communicative through the use of as few words as possible.
- Synonyms: terse, succinct, concise, pithy, lapidary
(of speakers or writers) Communicating through the use of as few words as possible.

Example sentence

- 2026, Wandering Wikis:
  "After listening to a forty-minute explanation of the problem, she offered a laconic solution: 'Turn it off.'"
(Australia, sometimes proscribed, of a person) Laidback; casual; not intense.
- 15 June 2022, Donal Wilson, "Mid-season review: Brisbane Lions", Roar:
  "A key player up the other end of the ground is Harris Andrews, who sometimes gets unfairly criticised for his laconic playing style. He desperately cares for this team."

Derived terms

laconicism
laconicly
unlaconic

Related terms

laconical
laconically
laconism

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 # (of speakers or writers) Communicating through the use of as [[few]] words as possible.
 #
-#* 1736, Alexander Pope, letter to Jonathan Swift:
+==== Example sentence ====
-#*: "I grow laconick even beyond laconicism; for sometimes I return only yes, or no, to questionary or petitionary epistles of half a yard long."
-#
+#* 2026, Wandering Wikis:
-#* 1738, Zachary Grey, ''An Attempt towards the Character of the Royal Martyr King Charles I'':
+#*: "After listening to a forty-minute explanation of the problem, she offered a laconic solution: 'Turn it off.'"
-#*: "His sense was strong and his style laconic."
 #
 # (Australia, sometimes proscribed, of a person) [[laidback|Laidback]]; [[casual]]; not intense.