pithy description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pithy description" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey a brief and impactful summary or explanation of something. Example: "The author provided a pithy description of the main character that captured her essence in just a few words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Shorthand is essential in television, and Mr. Wright displays a facility for pithy description in person and on the page.

The New York Times

In answer to one of the questions at the NPC, Bishop gave a pithy description of Australia's foreign policy under the Abbott government.

The Guardian

Due diligence on banks' structured-credit exposures remains a nightmarish prospect for would-be acquirers (“a toxic tool-chest of joy" is one observer’s pithy description of Lehman).Liquidity is also now a big part of buyers' calculations.

The Economist

Many characters — the bush pilot called Mickey ("like Rooney in the movies") who cracks jokes about his "joystick," the C.I.A. man who maintains a furtive silence about his mission — are rarely sketched beyond a pithy description and a few lines of dialogue.

The New York Times - Books

The mass-market tabloid Bild responded to the plan with a banner headline last week that read like both a plea and a pithy description of the national mood: "Chancellor, We've Had Enough!" The policies, which are dictated in part by European Union limits on government deficits, are sapping the confidence of consumers and businesses, as well as of many experts.

The New York Times

Then we decorated the office walls with scrolls, with a pithy description of each attribute.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Use pithy descriptions to draw their interest.

WikiHow

He excelled at pithy, perceptive description.

The New York Times - Arts

Then again, it's as pithy a description of Cameronism as you are likely to come across.

The Guardian

For someone who didn't know which model to buy, it would have been much easier to decide at Dell.com, which quickly steers shoppers toward a page that compares three popular models, or at Gateway.com, which describes each notebook series with a pithy, sensible description like "ultra thin and light" or "large displays... desktop replacement".

The New York Times - Tech

Back in 1978 - which went down in history as the "year of the three Popes" - I remember meeting a gregarious American priest and journalist who drew up a pithy job description for the leadership of the Catholic Church on the death of Paul VI. "We need a happy, holy man, who smiles!" he said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "pithy description" in your writing to add a touch of sophistication and show that you value efficient communication.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex vocabulary or sentence structures in an attempt to sound sophisticated. The strength of a "pithy description" lies in its clarity and simplicity. Overcomplicating the language defeats the purpose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pithy description" is to act as a noun phrase. The word "pithy" is an adjective modifying the noun "description", indicating a specific quality of the description.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pithy description" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe a concise and meaningful summary. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. As the analysis shows, it appears primarily in News & Media, but also in Formal & Business contexts. While "pithy description" itself isn't overly frequent, alternatives like "concise explanation" or "succinct account" can be used for variety. Remember that the key is clarity and simplicity: avoid overcomplicating your language when crafting a "pithy description".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concise explanation

Focuses on brevity and clarity in explaining something.

succinct account

Highlights a brief and clear summary of events or information.

brief summary

Emphasizes the shortness and completeness of the overview.

compact portrayal

Highlights the condensed nature of the depiction.

terse characterization

Emphasizes the brevity and directness of the character description.

short and sweet explanation

Informal and highlights the enjoyable conciseness.

crisp depiction

Emphasizes the clear and sharp quality of the description.

pointed summary

Focuses on the directness and relevance of the summary.

laconic description

Highlights the use of very few words to convey the description.

brief but effective explanation

Emphasizes the short length and successful conveyance of meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "pithy description" in a sentence?

You can use "pithy description" to describe a concise and meaningful summary or explanation. For example: "The author provided a "pithy description" of the main character that captured her essence in just a few words".

What are some alternatives to "pithy description"?

Alternatives include "concise explanation", "succinct account", or "brief summary". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What does "pithy" mean in the context of "pithy description"?

In this context, "pithy" means concise and forcefully expressive. It suggests that the description is not only short but also contains a lot of meaning or insight.

Is "pithy description" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "pithy description" can be appropriate for formal writing, especially when brevity and clarity are valued. However, ensure that the tone and style of the description align with the overall formality of the piece.