Epigram
noun /ˈɛpɪɡram/ — A witty, pointed saying or short poem.
Definition
A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement or poem — an inscription with wit; a statement combining brevity, wit, and point, where the ending delivers a surprise or reversal.
Beyond the definition
The epigram is the aphorism with a twist — not just compressed truth but truth with a sting in the tail. Oscar Wilde was the master. The form requires control — too long and the point dissipates, too short and it loses the surprise.
Origin & history
From Latin epigramma, from Greek epigramma (inscription), from epi- (upon) + graphein (to write). Originally a short poem inscribed on a stone or statue; evolved into the witty saying that delivers a reversal in its final beat.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Wilde's epigrams survive because they are true — the wit is in the service of the observation.
She delivered the epigram at the end of her speech and the room went quiet before laughing.
A good epigram takes you somewhere unexpected with the last word.
Synonyms
Antonyms
rambling, verbose
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Adult Delivering Clever Joke
A close-up of an adult’s face reveals a subtle smile, their expression sharp, clever, and full of quick, surprising wit.
The sharp, fast-paced joke being told by the adult is the essence of an epigram. It combines brevity, wit, and a surprise ending that delivers a reversal, capturing the clever, paradoxical nature of a statement intended to surprise and delight.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration