curt

UK: /ˈkɜː^rt/ US: /kɝt/ ,(kûrt)

Inflections of 'curt' (adj):

curter

adj comparative

curtest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

curt /kɜrt/   adj., -er, -est. 

1. rudely brief in speech, or too quick in manner:
   a curt reply to my friendly greeting.

curt•ly, adv.: 

answered curtly that he was too busy to talk.

curt•ness, n. [uncountable]
Synonyms

See blunt.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

curt  (kûrt), adj., -er, -est. 

1. rudely brief in speech or abrupt in manner.
2. brief;
   concise;
   terse;
   laconic.
3. short;
   shortened.

• Latin curtus shortened, short, cut short
• 1620–30

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

• 1. snappish, sharp.
• 2. See blunt. 
• 3. abbreviated.

Curt  (kûrt), n. 

1. a male given name, form of Curtis. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

curt / kɜːt/ adjective

1. rudely blunt and brief; abrupt
2. short or concise

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin curtus cut short, mutilated

ˈcurtly adverb

ˈcurtness noun