[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/curt/)

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# curt

adjective (curt, curter, curtest — comparatives rare; usually more curt)

«curt» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Curt means rudely short: a curt reply uses very few words and sounds cold or unfriendly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#m1)
2. (rare) Curt can mean simply brief or short. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it shows a character's mood: a curt answer tells the reader that someone is cross, busy or does not want to talk. In everyday life it helps describe how people speak. Phrases: «a curt reply», «a curt nod», «curt tone». Related adverb: curtly.

### Examples

- «No,» she said in a curt voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x1)
- His curt reply made me feel silly for asking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x2)
- The shopkeeper gave us a curt nod. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x3)
- Try not to be curt with your little sister. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x4)
- The email was curt: «Not today.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x5)
- The coach was curt after the team lost. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x6)
- I'm sorry I was so curt with you this morning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/#x7)

### Note

Adjective; adverb: curtly; noun: curtness. Do not confuse with «Kurt» or «Curt» (boys' names) or with «curtain». A curt answer is short in a rude way; a «brief» answer is just short, not necessarily rude.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «curt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/curt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«curt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/curt.html) on Mova free.