concise
/kənˈsaɪs/The formal word for short, used about writing or speech that gives the key points without padding.
Example: Keep your report concise — one page is enough.
B220 words · Upper-intermediate
Speaking & Thinking vocabulary — B2
Speaking and thinking vocabulary for how people argue and reason — concise, blunt, sceptical and credible — telling a frank, outspoken style apart from one that is guarded or long-winded.
20 questions
Words in this set
20frank
/fræŋk/Another word for direct — saying exactly what you think, even when it's uncomfortable to hear.
Example:
To be frank, I don't think the plan will work.
mutter
/ˈmʌtər/Another word for grumble — said in a low voice that others aren't meant to hear, usually from irritation.
Example:
He muttered something about the queue and went back to his phone.
blunt
/blʌnt/The opposite of gentle — very direct, even if it upsets someone, especially when giving an opinion.
Example:
He can be blunt when he gives feedback.
ambiguous
/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/The opposite of definite — able to be understood in more than one way.
Example:
Nobody knew what to do because the instructions were ambiguous.
vocal
/ˈvoʊkəl/The opposite of quiet — willing to speak up publicly and often about what you think.
Example:
Local residents have been vocal about the new development.
guarded
/ˈɡɑrdəd/The opposite of open — careful not to say too much about yourself, in case it's used against you.
Example:
He became guarded whenever reporters asked about his finances.
explicit
/ɪkˈsplɪsət/The opposite of vague — instructions or statements that leave no room for doubt.
Example:
The instructions were explicit about what to do in an emergency.
outspoken
/ˈaʊtˈspoʊkən/Another word for vocal — sharing strong opinions openly, without fear of criticism.
Example:
She's known for being outspoken about workers' rights.
long-winded
/ˈlɔŋˈwɪndɪd/Another word for wordy — talking for too long about unimportant details.
Example:
His speech was way too long-winded for a five-minute slot.
grasp
/ɡræsp/Another word for understand — finally getting a difficult idea clear in your mind.
Example:
It took me a while to grasp the new tax rules.
concede
/kənˈsid/The formal word for admit, used when you accept someone else's point after first disagreeing with it.
Example:
He didn't like it, but he had to concede that the new plan made sense.
contemplate
/ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪt/The formal word for think about, used when you consider something carefully for a while before deciding.
Example:
She sat by the window, contemplating her next move.
infer
/ˌɪnˈfɜr/The formal word for work out, used when you reach a conclusion from clues rather than being told directly.
Example:
From her tone, I could infer she wasn't happy with the result.
sceptical
The opposite of trusting — having doubts about whether something is true, without more proof.
Example:
She's always sceptical of miracle diets that promise fast results.
ignorant
/ˈɪɡnərənt/The opposite of well-informed — not knowing about something, often because you haven't learned about it.
Example:
He was completely ignorant of the new tax laws.
biased
/ˈbaɪəst/The opposite of fair — influenced by your own feelings rather than facts, especially when judging something.
Example:
The referee's decision seemed biased toward the home team.
irrational
/ˌɪˈræʃənəl/The opposite of reasonable — not based on logic or clear thinking, especially when making a decision.
Example:
Panic-buying toilet paper seemed like an irrational reaction to the news.
objective
/əbˈdʒɛktɪv/The opposite of biased — based on facts rather than personal feelings.
Example:
Try to stay objective when judging your own work.
credible
/ˈkrɛdəbəl/The opposite of doubtful — solid enough that people are willing to believe it.
Example:
Her explanation didn't seem very credible to the police.
