curt
word
Definition
If someone is curt, they speak in a short, direct, and sometimes rude way, usually not showing much emotion or friendliness.
Usage & Nuances
'Curt' is formal or neutral, commonly used in writing or description, not in speech. Usually describes someone's tone, reply, or manner. Don't confuse with 'short' (which just means brief) or 'blunt' (which is direct but not necessarily rude). Common collocations: 'curt reply', 'curt tone'.
Example Sentences
Sorry if I seemed curt earlier—I was just in a hurry.
natural
His text messages are always so curt. I can never tell if he’s mad!
natural
Her curt dismissal of their idea made the team feel discouraged.
natural
His curt answer surprised everyone.
basic
The manager gave a curt reply to the question.
basic
She sounded curt on the phone.
basic