---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Use no superfluous word, no adjective…"
description: "\"Use no superfluous word, no adjective, which does not reveal something.\" — Ezra Pound"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/ezra-pound-1208_adjective_use-no-superfluous-word-no-adjective-whi_2068596.png"
---

#  Use no superfluous word, no adjective, which does not…

![“Use no superfluous word, no adjective, which does not reveal something.” quote by Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/ezra-pound-1208_adjective_use-no-superfluous-word-no-adjective-whi_2068596.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/ezra-pound-1208_adjective_use-no-superfluous-word-no-adjective-whi_2068596.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/ezra-pound-1208_adjective_use-no-superfluous-word-no-adjective-whi_2068596.png)

> “Use no superfluous word, no adjective, which does not reveal something.”

[Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Write concisely, using only words that add meaningful content, avoiding unnecessary adjectives.

**In simple terms:** Use only meaningful words.

Key Takeaway

Eliminate fluff from writing.

Themes

conciseness clarity precision

Mood

critical analytical

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- editing
- technical writing
- creative prose

Key Concepts

writing style effective communication

Questions to Reflect On

- Which adjectives truly add value?
- How to balance brevity and richness?

A Different Perspective

Strict brevity may limit expressive nuance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/)

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> [When you catch an adjective, kill it - perhaps the best possible advice for budding writers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/when-you-catch-an-adjective-kill-it-perhaps-the-best-possible-advice/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [I miss the Stella girls telling me what I am. That I'm sweet and placid and accommodating and loyal and nonthreatening and good to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/i-miss-the-stella-girls-telling-me-what-i-am-that-i-m-sweet-and/)

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> [My goal in life is to become an adjective,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/my-goal-in-life-is-to-become-an-adjective/)

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> [The adjective hasn't been built that can pull a weak or inaccurate noun out of a tight place,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr/the-adjective-hasn-t-been-built-that-can-pull-a-weak-or-inaccurate/)

[William Strunk, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr/)

> [The adjective is the banana peel of the parts of speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/the-adjective-is-the-banana-peel-of-the-parts-of-speech/)

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> [Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/christian-is-a-great-noun-and-a-poor-adjective/)

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> [“The book was sloppily written in many parts (the words came too quickly and too easily) and there was hardly a noun in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/the-book-was-sloppily-written-in-many-parts-the-words-came-too/)

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## More by Ezra Pound

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> [where the dead walked and the living were made of cardboard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/where-the-dead-walked-and-the-living-were-made-of-cardboard/)

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Browse all 49 Adjective quotes

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