pithy
/ˈpɪθi/
Group 17Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Of language or style: terse and vigorously expressive; concise and meaningful GRE
Example in Context
The editor was known for her pithy comments in the margins of manuscripts—never more than a sentence, but always devastating.
Synonyms
concisebriefpunchy
Etymology
Essential and to the point, like the core or pith of a fruit.
- pith (Old English) — the essential part
Memory Aid
😢Sounds like “pity”
You'd feel PITY for the guy whose speech was so long, it lacked PITHY punchlines!
Visual Association
✂️A skilled editor slicing through a mountain of text to reveal a sharp, concise quote.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pithy” mean on the GRE?
pithy (adjective) means “Of language or style: terse and vigorously expressive; concise and meaningful”. The editor was known for her pithy comments in the margins of manuscripts—never more than a sentence, but always devastating.
How to remember “pithy” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “pithy” sounds like “pity”. You'd feel PITY for the guy whose speech was so long, it lacked PITHY punchlines!
What are synonyms for “pithy”?
Common synonyms: concise, brief, punchy.