Words / C2

TURJ-id/ˈtɜːdʒɪd/

Turgid means swollen, or of language, pompous and over-written (formal / disapproving): turgid prose, a turgid river. Pompous is everyday for style; overwrought (already in the dictionary) is over-emotional or over-elaborate. Portentous (already in the dictionary) is overly solemn. Pellucid (already in the dictionary) is the opposite flavour. Do not call a required fire notice turgid because it is plain.

Meaning

Swollen; of language, pompous and over-elaborate (formal / disapproving).

Examples

• “Turgid prose does not invent a cell that is empty.”
• “Pompous is everyday for manner. Overwrought is overworked (already in C2). Portentous is solemnly self-important (already in C2). Pellucid is crystal-clear (already in C2). A short dated sentence can be dry and enough. Swollen syntax with no n is decoration. Cut the adjectives; keep the cell.”

Good to know

Swollen; pompously overwritten. Everyday: pompous / swollen. Close: overwrought (already in C2). Opposite: pellucid (already in C2). Style ≠ a filled cell.

Near in meaning

pompous

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