concise

Everyday

1. Short and clear, saying what is needed in few words without leaving out important things. tree →
2. (of books) Shortened but still covering the main points (a concise dictionary). tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons teachers ask for concise answers and summaries — say it clearly in few words, no waffle. In science, a concise conclusion states the result simply. It tells the reader something is short but complete. Opposite: wordy, long-winded.

Examples

• Write a concise summary of the story in three sentences. tree →
• Her answer was concise and correct. tree →
• Try to be concise in your science conclusion. tree →
• The concise dictionary fits in my school bag. tree →
• Good instructions are clear and concise. tree →
• His speech was concise, just two minutes long. tree →

Note

Adjective; adverb concisely; noun concision or conciseness. Concise does not mean «too short»: it must still include the important points. Not the same as «precise» (exact).