Word: laconic (adjective)

Associations

"Laconic" means using very few words, often in a way that seems mysterious or blunt.

• When someone gives a short, clear answer without extra details, you can say they are laconic. For example: "His laconic reply made it clear he was not interested."
• It can describe a style of speaking or writing that is brief but effective. For example: "The author's laconic style makes the story easy to read."
• It often suggests that the person is being serious or even a bit rude by not saying more. For example: "She was laconic during the meeting, which surprised everyone."

Synonym: "brief" or "concise"

• "Brief" means short in time or length, but "laconic" usually means short in words and sometimes with a sharp or mysterious tone.
• "Concise" means giving a lot of information clearly and in few words, but without the bluntness that "laconic" can have.

Substitution

Instead of "laconic," you can say:

• "brief" (more neutral, just short)
• "terse" (short and sometimes rude)
• "concise" (clear and short)
• "succinct" (clear and to the point) Changing the word changes the tone: "terse" sounds a bit negative, while "concise" is more positive.

Deconstruction

The word "laconic" comes from "Laconia," a region in ancient Greece where people (Spartans) were known for speaking very little but meaning a lot.

• Root: "Lacon-" refers to Laconia.
• Suffix: "-ic" means "related to." So "laconic" literally means "related to Laconia," and by extension, "using few words."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where being laconic would be good? When might it be bad?
• How do you feel when someone gives a laconic answer to your question?
• Can you try to say a laconic sentence about your day? How does it feel compared to a longer explanation?