adj.
Pronunciation: ' w ə r-d ē
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: word · i · er ; -est
Date: 12th century
1 : using or containing many and usually too many words
2 : of or relating to words : VERBAL
– word · i · ly \ ' w ə r-d ə -l ē \ adverb
– word · i · ness \ ' w ə r-d ē -n ə s \ noun
synonyms WORDY , VERBOSE , PROLIX , DIFFUSE mean using more words than necessary to express thought. WORDY may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity <a wordy speech>. VERBOSE suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision <the verbose position papers>. PROLIX suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details <habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas>. DIFFUSE stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style < diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories>.