# compendious

/kəmˈpɛndiəs/ (US) · /kəmpˈɛndɪəs/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compendious
Updated: 2026-10-08

## Definition

describing something that is short but contains all the important information. You use this to praise a book or report for being both brief and complete.

For teachers: containing or presenting the essential facts of a subject in a concise but comprehensive way. Typically describes written works or summaries.

## Examples

- The guide provides a compendious account of the city's history.
- The professor recommended the textbook because it offers a compendious overview of organic chemistry without being overly long.
- His latest publication is a compendious study of the region's flora, managing to document every native species within a single, portable volume.

## Synonyms

concise, succinct, compact, brief, terse, pithy, condensed

## Antonyms

lengthy, verbose, wordy, long-winded

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.