Wordy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wordy

[ˈwərdi ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

descriptive

Using or containing many, or too many, words

Synonyms

long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose.

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Word Description / Examples
wordy

This word is often used to describe someone who uses more words than necessary. It can be slightly negative if the excess verbiage is seen as unnecessary.

  • Her email was too wordy; it could have been half the length.
  • The professor's wordy lecture left the students confused.
verbose

This term is used when speech or writing contains more words than necessary and is often overly complex. It is negative.

  • The report was so verbose that it was difficult to extract the key information.
  • He tends to be verbose, often complicating simple ideas.
long-winded

This is typically used to describe someone who takes a long time to get to the point. It has a moderately negative connotation, suggesting that the speech or writing is tiresome.

  • The politician's speech was so long-winded that people started to leave early.
  • He has a tendency to be long-winded, which can make meetings drag on.
rambling

This word describes speech or writing that lacks focus or organization, often wandering from one subject to another. It has a negative connotation.

  • His rambling speech left the audience unsure of his main point.
  • She started with a rambling story that had nothing to do with the topic at hand.
prolix

This word is more formal and is used in academic or literary contexts to describe text that is tediously lengthy. It is generally negative.

  • The scholar's prolix treatise on history was criticized for its excessive length.
  • Her writing style tends to be prolix, making it difficult to follow.

Examples of usage

  • He was known for his wordy speeches during the conference.
  • The article was criticized for being too wordy.

Translations

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Origin of 'wordy'

The word 'wordy' originated from the Middle English word 'wordi', which meant 'using words, speaking'. Over time, it evolved to its current meaning of containing too many words. The negative connotation of wordiness is often associated with verbosity and lack of conciseness in communication.


See also: foreword, reword, rewording, worded, wordily, wordiness, wording, wordless, wordlessly, wordplay, wordsmith.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,672, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.