What does brusque mean?
Word: Brusque
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Brusque means using very few words, in a way that can sound rude.
Synonyms: gruff
How do you spell brusque?
Syllables: brusque
Tricky part: The word ends in a sk sound, but the letters are not sk. They are the sque of picturesque, which pupils often cut short.
Watch out for: bruske, brusqe
Memory tip: Picture a picturesque valley and a brusque guide who says only two words about it. The two adjectives finish alike.
Brusque in a sentence
Example 1: Her brusque manner hid a very kind heart.
Example 2: The ticket clerk gave a brusque nod and pointed to the next window.
Example 3: I was surprised by his brusque note, which said only that the meeting had moved.
Fun Fact
English took the word from French, which took it from Italian brusco, used of something sharp or tart in taste. A sharp flavour became a sharp way of speaking.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are misspelt. Choose the meaning of the one spelt correctly:
1. tenacius 2. brusque 3. pragmatec 4. resillient
a) dealing with things in a practical way
b) refusing to let go or give up
c) short and sharp in speech
d) quick to recover after a setback
Show answer
c) short and sharp in speech. Tenacious needs an o, resilient one l and pragmatic an i, which leaves brusque.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word brusque as used in the sentence:
The shopkeeper gave a brusque answer and went straight back to his accounts.
a) curt
b) blunt
c) courteous
d) abrupt
Show answer
c) courteous. A courteous reply would be polite and considerate, not short like the shopkeeper's.
Mingle-Mangle
Which word do the jumbled letters in the sentence spell?
The new coach's uuerbsq reply left the team unsure whether he was pleased with them.
a) bruised
b) brusque
c) brisket
d) brochure
Show answer
b) brusque. The q settles it: no other option has one.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
brousque
a) o
b) s
c) u
d) r
Show answer
a) o. Writers who know the French sound sometimes add this letter, but English does not use it here.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A brusque receptionist is most likely to say
a) "Name? Sit there."
b) "Do tell me all about your trip here."
c) "Please take your time, there is no hurry."
d) "Good morning, how are you today?"
Show answer
a) "Name? Sit there."
2. Why might a brusque reply upset someone?
a) It always arrives very late
b) It is usually full of hard words
c) It can feel cold and unfriendly
d) It takes far too long to read
Show answer
c) It can feel cold and unfriendly
