Standard Lemma guide

curtly

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: K ER1 T L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a curt manner; tersely, almost rudely.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he told me curtly to get on with it
  • he talked short with everyone
  • he said shortly that he didn't like it

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: short, shortly

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English curt Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English curtly From curt + -ly.