Vocabulary Ladder · Just Enough Words
Says just enough
Positive words for speech and writing that get to the point without losing anything important.
A2–B1Everyday
shortclear
Everyday. Short is neutral. Clear is always praise.
“Please keep your answer short and clear.”
B2Confident
briefto the point
Positive. Good for emails, updates and meetings.
“Her update was brief and to the point.”
C1Advanced
concisecrisp
Formal praise for writing and presentations.
“The summary is concise and easy to follow.”
C2Expert
succinctpithy
Short but complete. Pithy also suggests clever.
“He gave a succinct answer to a complex question.”
PositiveNeutralNegative
Use both
Her first draft was wordy. The final version was concise.
Levels are a guide, based on how common and formal each word is. Dictionaries sometimes place a word one level higher or lower.