curt
2
7.2
- adjective
- /kɜrt/
:
cortante
- His curt reply made it clear he didn't want to discuss the matter any further.
And they responded with a very curt, basically, I don't have time for this.
- And they responded with a very curt, basically, I don't have time for this.
- Don't say anything or give very curt answers.
- It means like bold, forward, curt, presumptuous.
Examples
-
Your frivolous and curt way of speaking,
Fiction book (1997) -
"He knew he was being curt, abrupt, and false with her and with everyone else around him.
Fiction book (1990) -
Or being very curt in writing, you know, very, very brief.
-
"Trouble," he said, curt and reluctant at the same time.
Fiction book (1991) -
If I'm curt with you, it's because time is a factor.
-
I'm sorry I was so curt.
-
And they responded with a very curt, basically, I don't have time for this.
-
You were so curt and businesslike that you froze me.
Fiction book (1998) -
His voice is curt.
Fiction book (2002) -
He was very formal, very curt, and off-putting.
Fiction book (1994)
Synonyms
100
3.8
Speaking in a direct, plain way that can sound rude
79
5.6
Abrupt and rude in speech or behavior
18
6.7
Being short and rude in the way someone speaks
16
4.9
Speaking or acting in a rude, short way
12
7.0
Using few words and sounding unfriendly or abrupt
7
7.7
Rude and very short when speaking or acting
5
8.3
Using very few words, often sounding rude
Speaking or behaving in a short, rude way
A little rude and short in the way someone speaks
Antonyms
How Brief
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word curt comes from the old Latin word curtus, which means 'shortened', and it is like the English word curtail ('to cut short'). So a curt answer is literally 'cut short'—very brief, and that is why it can sound rude or abrupt.