Word
curt
US/ˈkɝt/
UK/kˈɜːt/
Definition
adj. speaking or acting in a way that is very short and perhaps a bit rude. You use this when someone answers you with very few words because they are annoyed or in a hurry.
adj. rudely brief or abrupt in speech or manner. Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun describing a verbal response.
Examples
“He gave a curt nod and left the room.”
“The manager's curt reply to my email suggested she was too busy to discuss the matter further.”
“While some interpreted his silence as thoughtful, others found his curt responses during the press conference to be dismissive of the public's concerns.”
Examples
simple
“He gave a curt nod and left the room.”
contextual
“The manager's curt reply to my email suggested she was too busy to discuss the matter further.”
complex
“While some interpreted his silence as thoughtful, others found his curt responses during the press conference to be dismissive of the public's concerns.”
Usage
Often used to describe speech, replies, or gestures; frequently follows 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/curt