Prolixity: meaning, definitions and examples

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prolixity

[prəˈlɪksɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

use of words

The quality or state of being wordy, verbose, or long-winded in speech or writing. Prolixity is often characterized by excessive use of words and unnecessary repetition.

Synonyms

long-windedness, verbosity, wordiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prolixity	Prolixity refers to the use of too many words to express an idea, often making it unnecessarily lengthy and hard to follow. It is often used in literary contexts or when describing written works that are excessively detailed. The author's prolixity made the article difficult to read His speeches are often marked by prolixity, which loses the interest of the audience
verbosity	Verbosity describes speech or writing that is wordy and redundant, often leading to confusion or boredom. The term is generally negative and implies that the excess words do not contribute to the meaning. The teacher criticized the student's essay for its verbosity Due to his verbosity, it's hard to understand the main point of his argument
long-windedness	Long-windedness is more commonly used in everyday language and usually refers to someone who speaks or writes for an excessively long period, often in a dull or boring manner. Her long-windedness during meetings can be tiresome He tends to explain simple concepts with unnecessary long-windedness
wordiness	Wordiness is often used in a negative context to describe writing or speech that includes unnecessary or redundant words. It is commonly used in editing and writing advice. The editor advised me to eliminate wordiness from my report Her wordiness makes it difficult to determine the important points

Examples of usage

He was known for the prolixity of his speeches, often going off on tangents and losing his audience.
Her prolixity in emails made it difficult to decipher the main points she was trying to convey.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

literature

The use of too many words in writing, especially when attempting to sound eloquent or impressive. Prolixity in literature can detract from the overall impact of the work.

Synonyms

long-windedness, verbosity, wordiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prolixity	Used in formal settings to describe speech or writing that is tediously lengthy and overly verbose, often needlessly so. The professor's prolixity made it difficult for students to stay engaged during lectures. Her prolixity in the report obscured the main points she was trying to convey.
verbosity	A formal term often used in writing to indicate the excessive use of words, making the text unnecessarily long and complex. The verbosity of the novel made it difficult to read. Editors often cut down on verbosity to ensure clarity and conciseness.
long-windedness	Commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to someone who takes a long time to make their point, often to the frustration of others. It can have a slightly negative connotation. During the meeting, his long-windedness made everyone impatient. He may have some good ideas, but his long-windedness makes it hard to follow.
wordiness	Used in everyday language to describe speech or writing that uses more words than necessary, often neutral but can be slightly negative. Her essay was marked down for wordiness. The instructions were marred by wordiness, making them hard to understand.

Examples of usage

The novel was criticized for its prolixity, with many unnecessary descriptions and long, drawn-out passages.
His prolixity in writing poetry often overshadowed the beauty of his language.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'prolixus', which means 'bound out' or 'extended', indicating a lengthy form.
It entered English around the late 14th century, originally describing long, detailed texts.
The prefix 'pro-' suggests 'forth' or 'forward', combined with '-lixity' implies a tendency towards verbosity.

Literature

Classic novels often exhibit prolixity to develop characters and plot intricacies, but modern readers may prefer brevity.
Some of the greatest literary criticisms address prolixity, arguing for the power of concise writing to evoke emotional responses.
Famous works by authors like Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy, while rich in detail, can sometimes overwhelm with their length.

Public Speaking

Prolixity in speeches can lead to disengagement; audiences often appreciate clear and concise presentations.
Notable public speaking guides suggest avoiding prolixity to enhance clarity and retention of key points.
Historical speeches by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. exemplify powerful messaging without unnecessary length.

Psychology

Excessive use of language can sometimes be a sign of anxiety; speakers may ramble to fill silences.
Listeners tend to process information better when it's presented in a direct manner, making prolixity counterproductive.
Therapists sometimes address prolixity in communication, encouraging clients to find the essence of their thoughts.

Pop Culture

Many comedians use daily observations filled with prolixity for comedic effect, but they cleverly trim fat to maintain humor.
In movies and series, characters who exhibit prolixity often serve as comedic relief or depict eccentric personalities.
Podcasts that have a tendency towards prolixity often lose listeners unless they maintain engaging content.

Translations

Translations of the word "prolixity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prolixidade

🇮🇳 विस्तारिता

🇩🇪 Weitschweifigkeit

🇮🇩 keluasan

🇺🇦 багатослівність

🇵🇱 rozwlekłość

🇯🇵 冗長

🇫🇷 prolixité

🇪🇸 prolijidad

🇹🇷 lafazanlık

🇰🇷 장황함

🇸🇦 إطناب

🇨🇿 rozvleklost

🇸🇰 rozvleklosť

🇨🇳 冗长

🇸🇮 razvlečnost

🇮🇸 málverka

🇰🇿 көпсөзділік

🇬🇪 ზედმეტი ლაპარაკი

🇦🇿 çoxsözlülük

🇲🇽 prolijidad

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,772 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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30769 godhead
30770 infinitesimally
30771 academician
30772 prolixity
30773 papist
30774 funneled
30775 bestiality
...