Words / C2

vur-BOHS/vɜːˈbəʊs/

Verbose means using more words than are needed: a verbose introduction, verbose instructions. Wordy is everyday; long-winded is a close cousin; prolix is a rarer literary synonym. Verbosity is the noun. Disapproving, of style. In speech, too wordy is enough. Verbose is quantity without payoff, not merely long. A long, tight chapter is not verbose. Do not confuse it with verbal (of words or spoken, not “too many words”).

Meaning

Using more words than are needed.

Examples

• “Cut the verbose introduction.”
• “Cut the verbose introduction; the argument starts on page three.”
• “Verbose feedback buried the one mark that would have helped: “check agreement.””

Good to know

Wordy; more words than needed (disapproving). Everyday: wordy / long-winded. Noun: verbosity. Contrast: long but tight; verbal = of words/speech, not “too long”.

Near in meaning

wordy

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