curt
1 Americanadjective
-
rudely brief in speech or abrupt in manner.
-
brief; concise; terse; laconic.
-
short; shortened.
- Synonyms:
- abbreviated
noun
adjective
-
rudely blunt and brief; abrupt
a curt reply
-
short or concise
Related Words
See blunt.
Other Word Forms
- curtly adverb
- curtness noun
Etymology
Origin of curt
First recorded in 1620–30, curt is from the Latin word curtus “shortened, short, cut short”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Most certainly,” said the owl with a curt nod.
From Literature
Her tone is curt, and there’s an intensity in her eyes that wasn’t there moments ago.
From Literature
When asked directly whether the administration has a social media problem during Tuesday’s press briefing, Leavitt’s answer was a curt “No.”
From Salon
When he came off the ice, the hug from Tutberidze seemed curt.
From BBC
He gives me a curt nod and heads out of the classroom, book tucked under his arm.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
