French word

sèchement

Pronunciation

IPA/sɛʃəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbcurtly

Example

Il a répondu sèchement à ma question.

He answered my question curtly.

Illustration for sèchement (curtly)

More examples

Elle a parlé sèchement au téléphone.

She spoke curtly on the phone.

Core concept

A reply cut short, with its warmth removed, that leaves the other person at a distance.

Common phrases

  • répondre sèchement

    answer curtly

  • parler sèchement

    speak curtly

  • couper sèchement

    cut off curtly

Similar words

froidement: In an emotionally detached and cold manner.
brusquement: Abruptly, with sudden words or actions that surprise others.
brièvement: Using only a few words to say what is necessary.
durement: With severe and unsparing language.

Definition in French

D'une manière brève et sans chaleur, qui semble repousser l'interlocuteur.

Word origin

French sèchement comes from the adjective sec, from Latin siccus 'dry', plus the adverbial suffix -ment, with 'dry' developing a figurative sense of coldness.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, sèchement modifies a verb, as in Il a répondu sèchement, while sec describes a noun or person.

Other meanings

  • coldlyadverb
  • brusquelyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word