curt

¹

[kurt]

adjective

curter, curtest 

1. rudely brief in speech or abrupt in manner.

   Synonyms: sharp, snappish

2. brief; concise; terse; laconic.

3. short; shortened.

   Synonyms: abbreviated

Curt

²

[kurt]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Curtis.

curt

/ kɜːt /

adjective

1. rudely blunt and brief; abrupt

   a curt reply

2. short or concise

Other Word Forms

• curtly adverb
• curtness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of curt¹

First recorded in 1620–30, curt is from the Latin word curtus “shortened, short, cut short”

Word History and Origins

Origin of curt¹

C17: from Latin curtus cut short, mutilated

Synonym Study

See blunt.

Example Sentences

The pair had a curt handshake after Townsend clinched victory before Latvian Ostapenko made a comment at the net.

From BBC

Yet he did, ending his meeting with the Russian leader with curt remarks, taking no questions from the press and offering no sense of a breakthrough toward peace in Ukraine.

From Los Angeles Times

Williams had often been curt and closed when speaking to the media, but spoke warmly and openly in her first pre-tournament news conference.

From BBC

"Everyone was on edge constantly, he was very curt," a second ex-employee said.

From BBC

The response was curt: “Both in this age and in all others.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blunt 
• brusque 
• concise 
• offhand 
• pithy 
• succinct 
• terse