brusque

UK: /ˈbrʌsk/, /ˈbruːsk/

US: /brʌsk/

US: (brusk; esp. Brit. brŏŏsk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

brusque /brʌsk/   adj. 

1. abrupt in manner;
   curt:
   He was quite brusque with the students who came to him for help.

brusque•ly, adv.: 

She brusquely showed me the door.

brusque•ness, n. [uncountable]
Synonyms

See blunt.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

brusque  (brusk; esp. Brit. brŏŏsk), adj. 

1. abrupt in manner;
   blunt;
   rough:
   A brusque welcome greeted his unexpected return.
   Also, brusk. 

• Late Latin brūscum, for Latin rūscus, rūscum, perh. conflated with Vulgar Latin *brūcus heather (see brier²)
• Italian brusco rough, tart, special use of brusco (noun, nominal) butcher's broom
• Middle French
• 1595–1605

brusque′ly, adv. 
brusque′ness, n. 
Synonyms

unceremonious, short, curt. See blunt. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

brusque / bruːsk brʊsk/ adjective

1. blunt or curt in manner or speech

Etymology: 17th Century: from French, from Italian brusco sour, rough, from Medieval Latin bruscus butcher's broom

ˈbrusquely adverb

ˈbrusqueness, brusquerie / ˈbruːskərɪ/ noun