pithiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pithiness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality of being concise and forcefully expressive, often in writing or speech. Example: "The pithiness of her argument made it all the more persuasive during the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mr Grossmann's pithiness ruffles feathers.

The Economist

When Damrosch writes that Tocqueville enjoyed the "pithiness of ordinary American speech," he also cites the nineteenth-century English writer Captain Frederick Marryat, whose diary of his American travels approvingly mentions an eating house in Illinois with a sign that read "Stranger, here's your chicken fixings".

The New Yorker

C. S. Lewis called this quality "pithiness"; I would add "coziness" or "comfortability".

The New Yorker

It is billed, with customary pithiness, as a "short play about death".

The New Yorker

Younger poker players more scientific about the game have eclipsed Amarillo Slim, but none beat his pithiness.

The New York Times - Sports

This particular lot tends to hire graduate students and artistic types, and the attendants work hard to wrest pithiness out of the mundanity.

The New York Times

But the pithiness of Mr. Worth's note moved one blogger, the investment adviser Joshua M. Brown, to declare it the "Greatest.

The New York Times

In its whimsy and pithiness — and as a link to a powerful tool of legal research — the name conveys his core values.

The New York Times

Conversely, many enjoy the elegance, pithiness or clarity of certain modes of expressions.

The New York Times

By contrast, this week's research suggests musicians are more inclined to use pithiness as a chance to crack wise.

The Guardian - Music

I found him to be a man of unflinching pithiness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pithiness" when you want to emphasize the quality of being brief and full of meaning in writing or speech. It's suitable for describing impactful and concise communication.

Common error

While "pithiness" implies brevity and meaningfulness, avoid using it to describe statements that are simply short but lack substance or come across as rude. Ensure the brevity is coupled with insight or value.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pithiness" is as a noun. It refers to the quality or state of being pithy, meaning concise and forcefully expressive. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing speech, writing, or even a person's style, emphasizing its capacity to convey much in a few words.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pithiness" is a noun describing the quality of being concise and meaningfully expressive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in News & Media sources. Related terms include "conciseness", "brevity", and "succinctness". While generally positive, it's crucial to differentiate "pithiness" from potentially rude or unclear brevity. "Pithiness" indicates impactful communication, a quality valued across various writing and speaking contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conciseness

Focuses on brevity and the elimination of unnecessary words.

succinctness

Stresses clear and brief expression.

concision

Highlights the cutting away of all that is superfluous.

brevity

Emphasizes the shortness of expression.

terseness

Highlights brevity to the point of being curt or abrupt.

compactness

Implies a tight and condensed form of expression.

crispness

Emphasizes the clear and effective nature of the expression.

laconicism

Refers to using very few words, often in a mysterious or enigmatic way.

aphoristic quality

Focuses on expressing a general truth or principle in a brief, memorable statement.

essence

Highlights the most important or necessary part of something.

FAQs

How to use "pithiness" in a sentence?

You can use "pithiness" to describe writing or speech that is concise and full of meaning. For example, "The "pithiness" of her argument made it very persuasive".

What can I say instead of "pithiness"?

You can use alternatives like "conciseness", "brevity", or "succinctness" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "pithiness" and "terseness"?

"Pithiness" implies brevity with substance and meaning, while "terseness" suggests brevity that can be abrupt or even rude. "Pithiness" is about impactful conciseness, while terseness is simply about being short.

Is "pithiness" a positive or negative quality?

"Pithiness" is generally a positive quality, as it describes the ability to convey meaning effectively using few words. However, if brevity is achieved at the expense of clarity or politeness, it can be perceived negatively.