# concise

/kənˈsaɪs/ (US) · /kənsˈaɪs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. brief and clear

adjective · CEFR B2

giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.

For teachers: expressing much in few words; clear and succinct while remaining comprehensive.

- The manager asked for a concise report that only included the main facts.
- The author provided a concise summary of the complex legal proceedings, managing to capture every essential detail in just two paragraphs.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes, such as 'a concise summary' or 'concise instructions'.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse 'concise' with 'short'. Emphasize that 'concise' implies quality and completeness, whereas 'short' only refers to length.

## Examples

- Please keep your summary concise so we can finish the meeting on time.
- The instructions on the box are concise, allowing users to assemble the furniture quickly without reading pages of text.
- A truly concise argument does not merely omit words; it distils complex ideas into their most potent form, ensuring every sentence drives the thesis forward.

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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.