compactness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compactness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality of being concise or taking up little space, often in contexts related to design, writing, or physical objects. Example: "The compactness of the new smartphone makes it easy to carry in a pocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In order for mathematical fictionalists to be entitled to use the compactness theorem, they will have to show that the nominalistic formulation (Compact#) follows from the platonistic one (Compact).

SEP

Notice that the usual compactness theorem for L is precisely the assertion that L is ω-compact.

SEP

Its compactness and durability have made it Africa's killing weapon of choice since the 1980s, despite its inaccuracy.

The Economist

The key to the Raspberry Pi's compactness is the use of a system-on-a-chip from Broadcom, which combines a frugal ARM 11 central processing unit with a graphics processor and (in the Model B) 512 megabytes of memory.

The Economist

He had a special love for the compactness of Sikkim, squeezed between Tibet and India, whose elegant, shining peaks he helped open again to mountaineering.

The Economist

His poems are small triumphs of compactness, neatly binding as many thoughts and allusions as possible in one image or one line.

The Economist

That is largely because the company also makes a desktop browser, not as widely known or used as those made by Microsoft and Netscape, but acclaimed by users for its speed and compactness.

The Economist

Neuromorphic chips are going to have enormous implications, especially in applications where compactness and power consumption are at a premium as, say, for replacement parts within the human body.

The Economist

It is not just the power density and compactness of turbocharged four-cylinder engines that has made them attractive to motor manufacturers.

The Economist

Its engines combine power with compactness in a way that few can match.

The Economist

GIF also dominated JPEG, a rival format best suited for photographs, in the web's early days because of its compactness.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, use "compactness" to emphasize space efficiency and portability. For example, "The "compactness" of this laptop makes it ideal for travel."

Common error

Avoid using "compactness" when you actually mean simplicity or ease of use. "Compactness" refers to spatial efficiency, not necessarily to a lack of complexity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compactness" is as a noun. It typically refers to the state or quality of being compact. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing physical attributes and abstract mathematical concepts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compactness" functions as a noun, primarily used to describe the state of being compact or space-efficient. It commonly appears in scientific and technical contexts, but also finds use in news and general writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable. When using "compactness", ensure that it appropriately reflects the efficient use of space or resources, rather than conflating it with simplicity or ease of use. Alternatives like "density" or "conciseness" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Remember to differentiate "compactness", which focuses on efficient spatial usage, from other qualities like simplicity or ease of handling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

density

Focuses on the amount of something within a given space, particularly mass or population.

conciseness

Emphasizes brevity and the avoidance of unnecessary detail in communication.

brevity

Highlights shortness in duration or expression, similar to conciseness.

smallness

Refers to the limited size or dimensions of something.

condensation

Implies reducing something into a more compact form.

miniaturization

Specifically refers to making something smaller, often in a technical context.

space-saving design

Highlights the design aspect of minimizing space usage.

efficiency

Focuses on achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

portability

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be carried or moved.

close packing

Describes arrangement of items tightly together.

FAQs

How is "compactness" used in technical contexts?

In technical contexts, "compactness" often refers to the efficient use of space or resources. For instance, engineers might discuss the "compactness" of a circuit design or a machine component.

What are some synonyms for "compactness"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "compactness" include "density", "conciseness", "brevity", and "smallness".

Is "compactness" only used to describe physical objects?

No, "compactness" can also be used in abstract contexts. For example, in mathematics, "compactness" refers to a property of topological spaces.

How does "compactness" differ from "simplicity"?

"Compactness" refers to efficient use of space or resources, while "simplicity" refers to a lack of complexity. A design can be compact without being simple, and vice versa.