Verbosely Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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verbosely

[ˈvɜːrbəʊsli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in a wordy manner

Using or expressed in more words than are needed. Characterized by using an excess of words to express an idea.

Synonyms

prolixly, tediously, wordily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
verbosely

This word is used when describing speech or writing that uses more words than necessary, often to the point of being lengthy and redundant.

  • He explained the simple concept so verbosely that it became difficult to follow.
  • The instruction manual is written so verbosely that it's hard to find the actual instructions.
wordily

This term refers to speech or writing that uses too many words and can often be confusing or difficult to follow. It usually has a slight negative connotation, suggesting a lack of conciseness.

  • The student answered the question wordily, making it hard for the teacher to find the main point.
  • Instead of summarizing the article, she recounted it wordily.
prolixly

This term is similar to 'verbosely' but usually carries a more formal tone. It indicates overly lengthy and detailed speech or writing.

  • The professor spoke prolixly about the topic, causing many students to lose interest.
  • The document was written prolixly, making it a challenge to extract important information quickly.
tediously

This word is using to describe something that is boring, repetitive, and wears down the listener or reader's patience. It usually has a negative connotation.

  • The meeting dragged on tediously, with little progress made.
  • He described the trip so tediously that no one wanted to hear the rest of the story.

Examples of usage

  • He explained the concept verbosely, taking twice as long as necessary.
  • She tends to speak verbosely, often causing confusion for her listeners.
Context #2 | Adjective

wordy

Using or expressed in more words than are needed. Characterized by using an excess of words to express an idea.

Synonyms

prolix, verbose, wordy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
verbosely

Use this word when describing an action where someone speaks or writes with too many words. It often has a slightly formal or neutral tone.

  • She explained the process verbosely, making it hard to follow
wordy

This casual word is often used in everyday conversations to indicate that someone is using more words than needed. It can have a mildly negative tone.

  • His wordy emails take forever to read and don't get to the point quickly
verbose

This word is used to describe speech or writing that contains more words than necessary. It has a slightly negative tone, implying that clarity is lost.

  • Her verbose explanation confused rather than clarified the issue
prolix

This word best fits academic or literary contexts, implying that someone is using too many words in a way that is tedious and overly detailed. It has a negative connotation.

  • The professor's prolix lecture made many students lose interest

Examples of usage

  • His writing style is quite verbosely, often requiring readers to sift through unnecessary details.
  • The professor's lectures tend to be verbosely, making it challenging for students to grasp the main points.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many classical authors, like Charles Dickens, were known for their verbose writing styles, which added richness to their stories.
  • In contrast, modern writing often favors conciseness, making 'verbose' a critique in contemporary literary circles.
  • George Orwell famously reacted against verbosity, promoting clear and straightforward prose as a tool for effective communication.

Communication

  • In verbal communication, being verbose can lead to misunderstandings, as listeners may lose track of the main point.
  • Public speakers often work to eliminate verbosity to keep their audience engaged and informed.
  • Some professions, like legal or academic writing, may require a verbose style for clarity, though brevity is generally preferred.

Humor

  • Comedy often plays on verbosity, where characters use excessive language, creating humorous situations.
  • The classic trope of a 'long-winded storyteller' humorously illustrates how excessive words can dilute the punchline.
  • Quotes like 'I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you' highlight the futility of verbosity.

Psychology

  • Research shows that some individuals use a verbose style to appear more knowledgeable or to impress others.
  • Overly verbose communication can indicate anxiety in social situations, as individuals may use extra words to fill silence.
  • Conversely, being concise is often associated with confidence and clarity in thought.

Origin of 'verbosely'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'verbosus', which means 'wordy' or 'full of words'.
  • It entered the English language in the early 19th century, reflecting a transition in writing styles.
  • Related terms include 'verbosity', which describes the quality of being verbose.

The word 'verbosely' originates from the combination of the word 'verbose' and the adverb suffix '-ly'. 'Verbose' comes from the Latin word 'verbosus', meaning 'full of words' or 'talkative'. The suffix '-ly' is used to create adverbs from adjectives, in this case, turning 'verbose' into 'verbosely'. The term has been used in English since the late 18th century to describe the act of expressing something in more words than necessary.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,476, 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.