Pithy
adjective /ˈpɪθ.i/ — Concise and forcefully expressive
Definition
Brief and to the point, expressing much in few words — and doing so with energy and precision rather than mere brevity.
Beyond the definition
The quality of language that lands cleanly and doesn't linger past its welcome.
Origin & history
From Old English 'piþa' (pith of a plant) — the dense, essential core. Something pithy has distilled itself to its own essence.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her pithy remark ended the debate more effectively than any argument could.
The review was mercifully pithy — two sentences, no padding.
Pithy writing is harder to produce than long writing. It requires more thought, not less.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Pithy” when the meaning fits your context: Brief and to the point, expressing much in few words — and doing so with energy and precision rather than mere brevity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
verbose, rambling, prolix, diffuse
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Pithy" mean?
Pithy is adjective meaning: Concise and forcefully expressive. Brief and to the point, expressing much in few words — and doing so with energy and precision rather than mere brevity.
Where does the word "Pithy" come from?
From Old English 'piþa' (pith of a plant) — the dense, essential core. Something pithy has distilled itself to its own essence.