The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word TERSE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
T
E
R
S
E
More clues leading to the result TERSE
- Ultimately elegant Celtic language, neat and concise
- Some after seafarer of few words?
- Recall some sledges, retorts, abrupt
- Short trees in need of treatment
- Short piece of poetry given new introduction
- Short letter sent, partially read?
- Brusque in Battersea
- Short winter seemingly draws in
- Extract from writer’s eulogy, anything but wordy
- Brief gives bum steer
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "using words sparingly" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case using words sparingly = terse.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TERSE mean?
TERSE adjective- (by extension) Of speech or style: brief, concise, to the point.
- (by extension) Of manner or speech: abruptly or brusquely short; curt.
- Burnished, polished; fine, smooth; neat, spruce.