Laconic

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

1. (of speech or writing) Communicative through the use of as few words as possible.
   • Synonyms: terse, succinct, concise, pithy, lapidary
   • Antonyms: verbose, prolix, loquacious, long-winded, bombastic
   • Near synonym: brief
3. (of speakers or writers) Communicating through the use of as few words as possible.
   • Antonyms: talkative, chatty, verbose, prolix, loquacious, long-winded, bombastic
   • Near synonyms: taciturn, untalkative, terse, quiet, spartan
4. • 1736, Alexander Pope, letter to Jonathan Swift:

     "I grow laconick even beyond laconicism; for sometimes I return only yes, or no, to questionary or petitionary epistles of half a yard long."

5. • 1738, Zachary Grey, An Attempt towards the Character of the Royal Martyr King Charles I:

     "His sense was strong and his style laconic."

7. (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

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