Verbose: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing speech or writing that contains more words than necessary. This often implies a neutral or slightly negative connotation when something needs to be more concise.

• His report was too verbose and difficult to follow
• The manual is overly verbose, making it harder to understand

Used to indicate that something is expressed in too many words. Can be neutral or mildly negative depending on context.

• His essays tend to be wordy and repetitive
• The manual is helpful, albeit a bit wordy

Best used when pointing out that someone speaks or writes for too long in a way that is boring or repetitive. Negative connotation.

• The professor's long-winded lectures often put students to sleep
• He gave a long-winded speech that seemed to go on forever

Used in more formal contexts to describe speech or writing that is tediously lengthy. Strongly negative connotation.

• The contract was so prolix that it took hours to read through
• His prolix writing style made the novel hard to enjoy

Ideal for describing speech or writing that lacks clear structure and goes off-topic. Negative connotation.

• Her rambling explanation made it difficult to understand her point
• The meeting derailed into rambling discussions

Suitable for describing a roundabout or indirect way of speaking or writing. Often used to suggest unnecessary complexity or avoidance.

• The politician's circumlocutory answers frustrated the interviewers
• Her circumlocutory explanations did nothing to clarify the matter

Use this word when describing speech or writing that includes more words than necessary. It often has a negative connotation, implying that the extra words reduce clarity.

• Her verbose explanation made the simple concept seem very complicated.
• The report was so verbose that it was difficult to find the key information.

Use this word in everyday language to describe areas or plants that have many leaves. It can also be used to describe a neighborhood or area that's filled with trees and plants.

• The leafy neighborhood was a great place for morning walks.
• They enjoyed their picnic under the leafy canopy of the ancient tree.

This word is more technical and is primarily used in botanical or scientific contexts to describe leaves or leaf-like structures.

• The foliate ornamentation on the architectural design was intricate and detailed.
• In autumn, the foliate structures of many plants undergo color changes.