Skip to learning

YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

incisive

Adjective

IPA /ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

Quick to identify the most important point and express it clearly.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

incisive/ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea
  1. A complicated issue

  2. The key point is identified

  3. A clear insight emerges

An incisive question goes straight to the important point.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

  1. Her incisive question helped us see why the plan would not work.
  2. The tutor gave an incisive analysis of the poem.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

Her ________ question helped us see why the plan would not work.
Show the answer

incisive — Quick to identify the most important point and express it clearly.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “incisive” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Quick to identify the most important point and express it clearly.

Compare: Her incisive question helped us see why the plan would not work.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin incidere, meaning to cut into, through medieval Latin incisivus.

Did you know?

Incisive commonly describes an analysis, question, comment or mind.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

  1. Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
  2. Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
  3. Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.

Share this word

Save the image or share a link to this word.

@englishskillstudio

incisive

/ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/ (Adjective)

“Incisive is usually approving. It praises clear, sharp thinking rather than a hurtful tone.”

englishskillstudio.com