Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Lengthiness: meaning, definitions and examples

📝
Add to dictionary

lengthiness

 

[ˈleŋ(k)θinəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in writing

The quality or state of being long, especially in the extent of time or space. Lengthiness can often make a piece of writing tedious or difficult to follow.

Synonyms

long-windedness, prolixity, verbosity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lengthiness

This is suitable when referring to something that takes a long time or is drawn out unnecessarily.

  • The lengthiness of the meeting left everyone feeling exhausted
long-windedness

Used to describe someone who talks for a long time and often in a boring or repetitive way. This can be mildly negative.

  • His long-windedness made it difficult to stay focused during his speech
verbosity

Often used to describe the use of more words than are needed, usually leading to confusion or boredom. It has a negative connotation.

  • The verbosity of the instruction manual made it difficult to understand the device
prolixity

This word refers to speech or writing that is tediously lengthy, often characterized by an extensive use of words. It is usually used in a negative or critical context.

  • The prolixity of the author's latest novel turned many readers away

Examples of usage

  • The lengthiness of his essay made it challenging to read.
  • I tried to condense the lengthiness of my report to make it more concise.
Context #2 | Noun

in speech

The tendency to use more words than necessary, resulting in long-winded or overly detailed speech. Lengthiness in speech can lead to listener disengagement.

Synonyms

loquaciousness, rambling, verbiage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lengthiness

Often used to describe something that is long or drawn out unnecessarily, such as a speech, document, or process.

  • The lengthiness of the meeting made everyone restless
  • The report's lengthiness caused some readers to lose interest
rambling

Generally used to describe speech or writing that is disjointed, wandering, and lengthy. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of focus.

  • His rambling explanation confused everyone
  • The novel's rambling plot made it hard to follow
loquaciousness

Refers to the quality of being very talkative, often to an excessive degree. It can have a slightly negative connotation, implying unnecessary or excessive talking.

  • Her loquaciousness made it difficult for others to contribute to the conversation
  • The professor's loquaciousness was both engaging and exhausting
verbiage

Typically refers to the excessive use of words, especially when more concise expression is possible. It often implies redundancy and can have a negative connotation.

  • The essay was marked down because of its unnecessary verbiage
  • The contract's verbiage made it difficult to understand the key points

Examples of usage

  • Her lengthiness in explaining the concept bored the audience.
  • The professor's lectures were criticized for their excessive lengthiness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'lengthiness' is derived from 'length', which comes from Old English 'lengð', meaning 'long' or 'extent'.
  • The suffix '-iness' is used to turn adjectives into nouns, indicating a state or quality, making 'length' into 'lengthiness'.
  • The first recorded use of 'lengthiness' in literature can be traced back to the 18th century, showcasing its relatively recent adoption in the English language.

Literature

  • In literature, lengthiness can describe works that are sprawling and detailed, which may engage some readers but discourage others due to their size.
  • Some authors are known for their lengthiness, such as Leo Tolstoy with 'War and Peace', where its extensive narratives allow for in-depth exploration of themes.
  • Lengthy descriptions or narratives in poetry can evoke vivid imagery but may also challenge readers’ attention spans.

Psychology

  • Studies show that longer texts can lead to cognitive overload, causing readers to disengage if the lengthiness isn't justified.
  • Lengthiness in communication can affect the listener's perception of clarity, with brevity often favored for effective messaging.
  • Reading lengthy materials has been shown to improve critical thinking skills, as it requires deeper processing and reflection.

Science

  • In physics, lengthiness can relate to processes that take a long duration, such as the geologic time scale, which spans millions of years.
  • In biology, organisms can exhibit lengthiness in their growth patterns, affecting their survival and adaptability in various environments.
  • Mathematics often addresses lengthiness through the concept of limits, where infinite sequences can stretch indefinitely.

Cultural Reference

  • In film and television, lengthiness often refers to movies or series that approach or exceed three hours, with critiques often highlighting pacing.
  • The 'lengthiness' of some classic novels has given rise to modern adaptations that condense stories while aiming to maintain essential plot points.
  • In social media culture, lengthiness in posts, such as those on blogs, can indicate an engaging story but may also deter casual readers looking for quick information.

Translations

Translations of the word "lengthiness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 longura

🇮🇳 लंबाई

🇩🇪 Länge

🇮🇩 panjang

🇺🇦 довжина

🇵🇱 długość

🇯🇵 長さ

🇫🇷 longueur

🇪🇸 longitud

🇹🇷 uzunluk

🇰🇷 길이

🇸🇦 طول

🇨🇿 délka

🇸🇰 dĺžka

🇨🇳 长度

🇸🇮 dolžina

🇮🇸 lengd

🇰🇿 ұзындық

🇬🇪 სიგრძე

🇦🇿 uzunluq

🇲🇽 longitud

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,039, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.