Overelaborate: meaning, definitions and examples
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overelaborate
[ ˌoʊvərˈɛləbəˌreɪt ]
writing style
To overelaborate means to explain or elaborate on something in excessive detail, often to the point of being redundant or convoluted. This can make the information harder to understand rather than clearer, as it may overwhelm the audience with unnecessary information.
Synonyms
overdetail, overexplain, overspecify.
Examples of usage
- The author tends to overelaborate on minor plot points.
- During the presentation, he overelaborated on the statistics, making it difficult to follow his main argument.
- She has a tendency to overelaborate her ideas, losing her audience's attention.
- In her essay, she overelaborated on the topic of environmental impact, making it less engaging.
Etymology
The term 'overelaborate' is formed by the prefix 'over-', indicating excess, and the verb 'elaborate', which comes from the Latin 'elaborare', meaning 'to work out' or 'to refine'. The notion of elaborating on an idea or concept carries the connotation of providing greater detail or clarification. Over time, in the context of language and communication, the word evolved to imply not just the act of expanding on a point, but doing so to a fault—where the additional details no longer serve the purpose of clarity but rather create confusion. This negative connotation of excessive elaboration has led to its modern usage, particularly in academic and professional settings, where effective communication is paramount.