Laconic
adjective /ləˈkɒnɪk/ — Using as few words as possible — and meaning all of them.
Definition
Using very few words; brief and concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious.
Beyond the definition
Laconic speech carries authority. When someone who rarely speaks says something, you listen differently. The Spartans were famous for it — when Philip of Macedon threatened them, they replied with a single word: 'If.'
Origin & history
From Greek Lakonikos — of Laconia (Sparta). The Spartans were known for their brief, powerful way of speaking.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His laconic reply — 'noted' — ended the debate more effectively than a speech.
She had a laconic style that made every sentence count.
The most powerful emails are often laconic. Two sentences. Send.
Synonyms
Antonyms
verbose, loquacious, wordy
Related words
Laconic vs terse
Laconic describes brevity with weight and power — speech so compressed it carries authority, in the Spartan tradition. Terse also means brief, but it often carries a negative edge: curt, almost rude in its shortness. A laconic reply lands deliberately; a terse reply can feel like a door shutting. Laconic is an admirable quality; terse is frequently a complaint.
Compare this word
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
Person sitting in silent room
An adult sits in a quiet, minimalist room with hands folded, choosing not to answer a ringing phone.
The choice to remain still and not engage with the external demand of the phone exemplifies a brief, concise approach that communicates through silence rather than unnecessary wordiness.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration