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Laconic: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Laconic adjective. Using very few words, often in a dry or understated way.
How to say it
luh-KON-ik/ləˈkɒnɪk/
3 syllables, stressed on the second (KON).
Laconic in a sentence
Her laconic text, 'Fine.', told me everything I needed to know.
The laconic farmer summed up the flood in two words: ‘Bit damp’.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- terse
- brief
- curt
- pithy
Opposite:
- loquacious
- verbose
- garrulous
Where laconic comes from
From Greek Lakōnikos, of Laconia, home of the famously short-spoken Spartans.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The _____ farmer summed up the flood in two words: ‘Bit damp’.
- colloquial
- verbose
- laconic
Show the answer
laconic: The laconic farmer summed up the flood in two words: ‘Bit damp’.