DictionaryAI

pithy

adjective
USPITH-ee/ˈpɪθi/

Formspithier, pithiest

3 meanings of pithy

Practice

  1. 1
    short but meaningfuladjective
    Short, but full of meaning.

    Grandpa always had a pithy saying for every problem.

    Try to make your answer pithier, because it is much too long.

    UsageIt is usually praise. Terse can sound rude, but pithy usually does not.

    Similarconcise, succinct, terse, pointed, crisp

    Oppositeverbose, wordy, long-winded, rambling

    Note
  2. 2
    spongyadjective
    Soft and spongy inside, or full of tiny holes.

    The old carrots were pithy and dry inside.

    Pick the turnips early, before they get pithy.

    Similarspongy

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 3
    adjectiverareScotland
    Strong and full of energy or force.
    His bairns a’ before the flood / Had langer tack o’ fleſh and blood, / And on mair pithy ſhanks they ſtood / Than Noah’s line, / Wha ſtill hae been a feckleſs brood / Wi’ drinking wine.
    1773, R[obert] Fergusson, “Caller Water”Here, pithy means strong and sturdy, so their legs were stronger.

Practice

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Origin

From the word pith with the ending -y.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact