curt

adjective \ ˈkərt \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: curt in a Sentence

Definition of curt

1 a : sparing of words : terse

wrote curt precise sentences

b : marked by rude or peremptory (see peremptory 3) shortness : brusque

a curt refusal

In a curt voice, he ordered the server to bring him a glass of water.

2 : shortened in linear dimension

—

curtly

adverb

—

curtness

noun

See curt defined for English-language learners

See curt defined for kids

Examples of curt in a Sentence

He gave only a curt reply to the question.
she was offended by the curt reply to her well-meaning question

Recent Examples of curt from the Web

Speaking while driving from rehearsal in New York City and with a packed schedule for Pride Month, Rippon is typically succinct in his answers -- never curt, just to the point.

— katherine fitzgerald, azcentral, "Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon to headline Mercury's Pride Night," 15 June 2018
Their approach was direct and curt, no frills— not self-consciously art-directed no frills, but Old Country, 19th-century no frills.

— New York Times, "New Yorkers and Their ’80s Routines — Block by Block," 17 Apr. 2018
At the Geneva car show in March, the silver-haired Mueller gave only curt answers to reporters’ questions before making a quick exit.

— chris reiter, Bloomberg.com, "VW’s Diess Goes From Lame Duck to Top Dog in Two Years," 11 Apr. 2018
Today, though, Hollywood glamor was a world away as Delvy entered the courtroom with a curt glance at the spectators before turning her back and taking a seat.

— kathryn lindsay, refinery29.com, "On The Scene At Anna Delvey's First Hearing As The Notorious Soho Grifter," 5 June 2018
Sinema walked on stage at the Virginia G. Piper Auditorium at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine in Phoenix and received a curt handshake from McSally.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "Martha McSally heads opioid hearing in Phoenix; Kyrsten Sinema leaves it early," 30 May 2018
The professor was curt when asked at that conference if his models had missed any risks.

— alexander osipovich, WSJ, "Yale Professor Who Had Controversial Role in the Crisis Now Teaches About It," 11 May 2018
The result: Young, in Park City, Utah, received a curt phone call from Perkins that blindsided him.

— eric branch, San Francisco Chronicle, "49ers’ trade for Steve Young: a tale of intrigue, succession and tampering," 24 Apr. 2018
First mentioned in Rowling’s Deathly Hallows‘ epilogue for his curt nod, Boyle takes that quick footnote and turns Scorpius into a fleshed out, complex character with a polarizing personality and quirky mannerisms.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of curt

Latin curtus mutilated, curtailed — more at shear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1630

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

curt Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of curt

bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner. bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.