prolixity
The quality of using too many words; excessive wordiness
Examples
In a meeting
“The report's prolixity made it difficult to identify the key recommendations.”
Over coffee
“I couldn't finish the book because of its prolixity—every point was repeated three times.”
Why this word
wordiness
prolixity is the formal term for excessive, tedious length in speech or writing, while wordiness is more casual
verbosity
prolixity emphasizes tedious length and redundancy, while verbosity can simply mean using many words without negative connotation
long-windedness
prolixity is the precise literary and rhetorical term, while long-windedness is colloquial and less formal
Usage tip
Use to criticize writing or speaking that's unnecessarily long-winded. More formal and precise than just saying 'too wordy.'
Etymology
Latin: prolixus (poured forth, extended) from pro- (forward) + liquere (to flow)
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Related words
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
arbitrary
Based on random choice rather than reason or system
cavil
To raise trivial or frivolous objections
denounce
Publicly declare something or someone to be wrong or evil
abbreviate
Shorten a word, phrase, or text
polemical
Involving strongly critical or controversial argument