Belabor: meaning, definitions and examples
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belabor
[ bɪˈleɪbər ]
explain extensively
To belabor means to explain or discuss a subject in excessive detail, often to the point of becoming tedious or annoying. It can also mean to attack or harm someone physically, but the first meaning is much more common in everyday language. This term is often used in discussions about excessive verbosity or overly detailed arguments that do not add value. Belaboring an idea can detract from its effectiveness and lead to audience disengagement.
Synonyms
dwell, expand, overemphasize, reiterate, repeat
Examples of usage
- She tends to belabor the point during meetings.
- Don't belabor your argument; just get to the conclusion.
- He belabored the issue until everyone lost interest.
Translations
Translations of the word "belabor" in other languages:
🇵🇹 delongar
🇮🇳 लंबा खींचना
🇩🇪 übertreiben
🇮🇩 memperpanjang
🇺🇦 займатися зайвою балаканиною
🇵🇱 przedłużać
🇯🇵 長引かせる
🇫🇷 insister sur
🇪🇸 alargar
🇹🇷 uzatmak
🇰🇷 길게 늘어지다
🇸🇦 يمتد
🇨🇿 protahovat
🇸🇰 predlžovať
🇨🇳 拖延
🇸🇮 podaljšati
🇮🇸 teygja
🇰🇿 ұзарту
🇬🇪 გაგრძელება
🇦🇿 uzatmaq
🇲🇽 alargar
Word origin
The word 'belabor' originated from the combination of the English prefix 'be-', meaning 'about' or 'on all sides,' and 'labor,' which comes from the Latin 'laborare,' meaning 'to work.' It first entered the English language in the late 16th century, specifically noted in the writings of playwrights and authors of that time. Over the centuries, its meaning has narrowed primarily to the context of discussing or explaining topics in an overly exhaustive manner. The transition into modern usage reflects a tendency in language to adapt terms based on societal and communicative needs. The evolution of 'belabor' plays into broader themes in English regarding verbosity and clarity in communication.