好词典

curtly

UK //ˈkɜːtli//US //ˈkɜːrtli//

词源

源自中古英语 'curt'(简短的),可能受古法语 'court'(短的)影响,最终来自拉丁语 'curtus'(截短的)。

adverb

❶ 指说话或回应时简短生硬,显得不礼貌或不耐烦,通常因为不想多说或心情不好。

“She answered curtly, 'No comment.'”

(她简短生硬地回答:“无可奉告。”)

“The manager spoke curtly to the employee who was late.”

(经理对迟到的员工说话很生硬。)

同义词:abruptly, brusquely, sharply

常见短语

reply curtly — 指用简短生硬的方式回应,通常显得不友好或缺乏耐心。

“When asked about the delay, he replied curtly, 'It’s not my problem.'”

(当被问及延误时,他生硬地回答:“这不是我的问题。”)