turgid

USAGE SUMMARY

"turgid" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective meaning swollen or distended with fluid, pompous or bombastic in speech or writing. Example sentence: The professor's turgid prose was difficult to follow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm sorry to be so turgid / Now over to Sajid".

The Guardian

And even if Soviet cinema rapidly devolved into turgid propaganda – "boy meets girl meets tractor", as it was dismissed by one Hollywood critic – it set the tone for the rest of the century in Europe, from cinema verité to Italian neo-realism to the French New Wave.

The Guardian - Film

The Mithi had been reduced to little more than a turgid drain, bubbling with the putrefactions of one of Asia's largest slums, Dharavi.

The Guardian

Unfortunately the final was a turgid affair, "bereft of style, fluency and excitement" to use the words of the Times' Hugh Taylor.

The Guardian - Sport

A couple of years ago, Gulliver was invited to attend two conferences, both on equally turgid topics, at about the same time.

The Economist

But so many of them were turgid, me-too accounts by self-proclaimed insiders or ignored Cassandras trying to pin the blame on someone, or everyone, else.

The Economist

Critics complain that Oman's government is complacent about its explosive population growth, its rigid labour laws and its turgid administration, but the bets are that it will still be a nice place to live when the oil dries up in 20 years' time.Bahrain, too, has carved a niche for itself outside the oil business.

The Economist

Most who have to read his work think he writes some of the most turgid prose in legal scholarship, which itself has some of the most turgid in the English language.Franklin HuntSanta Fe, New MexicoSIRWhether originalism or innovation rules on the Supreme Court is irrelevant.

The Economist

It is a shame, then, that the author lapses all too frequently into turgid technocratic monotone.

The Economist

His game was so devoid of flair he had a Test strike rate of just 30.60 runs per hundred balls that in the middle of one particularly turgid innings, a member of the crowd strolled onto the pitch and offered him a chair).

The Economist

SCORPION TONGUES: GOSSIP, CELEBRITY AND AMERICAN POLITICS.By Gail Collins.Morrow; 322 pages; $25UNTIL now, President Clinton's holiday reading has tended to the turgid: geostrategy, sociology, biographies of famous predecessors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, reserve the use of "turgid" for instances where you wish to convey a strong sense of disapproval regarding the style or content.

Common error

Avoid using "turgid" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone and critical connotation can sound pretentious or overly harsh.

Linguistic Context

The word "turgid" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being swollen, distended, or, in a figurative sense, excessively complex and difficult to understand. Ludwig shows examples in the context of prose, rivers, and administrations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academic sources

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "turgid" is a versatile adjective with two primary meanings: physically swollen or, more commonly, excessively complex and difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its formal tone makes it suitable for news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When describing writing or speech, "turgid" indicates disapproval, suggesting a lack of clarity and pretentiousness. Alternatives include "bombastic", "pompous", and "inflated". Avoid overusing "turgid" in casual conversation, as its formal nature may seem pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bombastic

Replaces "turgid" with a focus on inflated or pretentious language.

grandiloquent

Refers to an excessively elevated or bombastic style of speaking or writing.

pompous

Emphasizes self-importance in language or behavior, similar to one sense of "turgid".

tumid

A more formal synonym referring to swelling or pompousness.

inflated

Focuses on the swollen or exaggerated aspect, either literally or figuratively.

swollen

Directly relates to the physical meaning of being distended or enlarged.

overblown

Implies exaggeration and lack of substance, similar to the negative connotations of "turgid".

distended

Highlights the state of being stretched or expanded, applicable to physical objects.

bloated

Suggests an undesirable swelling or excess.

puffy

Relates to a soft, swollen appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "turgid" in a sentence?

You can use "turgid" to describe something swollen or distended, like "The "turgid river" overflowed its banks". It is also used to describe writing or speech that is pompous and difficult to understand, such as "His "turgid prose" put many readers off".

What words are similar to "turgid"?

Alternatives to "turgid" include "bombastic", "pompous", "inflated", "swollen", and "distended". The best choice depends on whether you're referring to physical swelling or inflated language.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "turgid"?

While "turgid" can describe a person's writing or speech, using it to describe a person directly is unusual and potentially offensive. It's best to stick to describing their words or style as "bombastic", "pompous", or "grandiloquent".

What's the difference between "turgid" and "pompous"?

"Turgid" can refer to both physical swelling and inflated language, whereas "pompous" primarily describes behavior or language that is excessively self-important and pretentious. While related, "turgid" has a broader range of applications.