How Do You Spell TERSE?

Pronunciation: [tˈɜːs] (IPA)

The word "terse" has an interesting spelling that can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The IPA transcription for "terse" is /tɜːs/ which breaks the word down into individual sounds. The initial "t" is followed by the vowel sound "ɜː", which sounds like "er" in "her". The final sound "s" is pronounced like the letter "s". Therefore, the spelling of "terse" reflects the sounds of the word when spoken, with each letter representing a specific phonetic sound.

TERSE Meaning and Definition

  1. Terse is an adjective that describes something, typically a statement or a piece of writing, that is brief and to the point, using few words without unnecessary elaboration or embellishment. It refers to the quality of being concise, succinct, or compact in expression.

    A terse statement or phrase is one that conveys a message or idea effectively and efficiently, omitting any excessive detail or superfluous language. It is often characterized by a straightforward and economical style, aiming to communicate with brevity and clarity.

    The term terse can also refer to someone's speech or manner of communication. A person who is described as terse tends to use very few words or speak in a curt or abrupt manner, preferring brevity over verbosity. This can give the impression of being direct, no-nonsense, or even blunt in their interactions.

    Terse writing or speech is often seen as a valuable skill, particularly in situations where conciseness is necessary, such as in headlines, advertisements, legal documents, or scientific papers. However, it is important to note that being terse can sometimes be perceived as unfriendly or lacking in detail, so it is essential to consider the context and audience when using this style of communication.

  2. Clearly written; expressive and elegant-applied to style or language.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for TERSE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for TERSE

Etymology of TERSE

The word "terse" originated from the Latin word "tersus", meaning "wiped or polished". It came into English during the 17th century and initially meant "clean-cut" or "polished". Over time, it evolved to its current meaning of "brief and to the point", reflecting the idea of concise and carefully chosen words similar to something that has been polished or finely crafted.

Similar spelling words for TERSE