verbiage

USAGE SUMMARY

"verbiage" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that means the amount of words used to express an idea or concept. For example, "The verbiage of the report was too complex for me to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's fabulous for the media when a huge human-interest story turns up, because we can all bang out any amount of verbiage about the triumph of hope and the indomitability of the human spirit, safe in the knowledge that people will buy it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now as the Obama administration uses the same verbiage as the Clinton administration used two decades ago, trade experts are alarmed at what is to come.

The Guardian - Business

And forecasts must be expressed numerically, so there can be no hiding behind vague verbiage.

The Economist

He has promised the Americans not to harm Mr Arafat physically, but he still intends to isolate him geographically Mr Arafat is in effect locked in Ramallah and undermine him politically.Other ministers in Mr Sharon's coalition, particularly those from the Labour Party, went along with the cabinet resolution at the time because they assumed the intemperate wording was just that—verbiage.

The Economist

In response, as Dr Liberman notes, many offending websites have hired computational linguists to churn out syntactically correct but meaningless verbiage including common search terms.

The Economist

So the opposition has been able to stall the assembly.Behind all the constitutional verbiage the main dispute is over money.

The Economist

Despite its leftish verbiage, it nudged France further towards an open market and helped France grow faster than all of Europe's biggest economies.

The Economist

The irony is that a fascination with verbiage risks luring Republicans into the same delusion that once snared Mr Obama, namely a belief in the magical powers of presidential speech.Mr Obama took office with an ambitious plan.

The Economist

The book is so long-winded and ill-disciplined that the genuinely good bits get lost in the verbiage.

The Economist

Mr McLone's reply is a quagmire of jargon and verbiage, but a couple of sentences stand out.

The Economist

ReprintsBeyond papering over such disagreements with official verbiage, the main business of the summit will be to push ahead with the "fiscal compact".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "verbiage" when you want to critique excess words. Be mindful that it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the language is unnecessarily complex or obscures the meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "verbiage" excessively in your own writing. Strive for conciseness and clarity, ensuring that your language directly conveys your message without unnecessary complexity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "verbiage" is as a noun. It typically refers to the way something is expressed in words, often with a negative connotation of excessive wordiness or obscurity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verbiage" functions as a noun that describes the way something is expressed in words. However, it commonly implies excessive or unnecessary wordiness. Ludwig AI confirms it as a valid term in English. As evidenced by the provided examples, it is frequently used in News & Media, as well as encyclopedias and scientific writing. When using "verbiage", be aware of its negative connotation and aim to use it when you want to critique language for being overly complex or obscuring meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wordiness

Focuses specifically on the excessive use of words.

verbosity

Similar to wordiness, but often implies a more deliberate or stylistic choice.

circumlocution

Refers to indirect or roundabout language, often used to avoid a direct statement.

long-windedness

Emphasizes the length and tediousness of the speech or writing.

redundancy

Highlights the unnecessary repetition of words or ideas.

prolixity

Indicates excessive length and detail in writing or speech.

manner of expression

Focuses on the style and way something is communicated through words.

choice of words

Highlights the specific selection of vocabulary used.

style of writing

Indicates the particular approach or technique used in written communication.

diction

Refers to the clarity and effectiveness of word choice.

FAQs

How can I use "verbiage" in a sentence?

"Verbiage" typically refers to an excess of words, often implying unnecessary complexity. For example: "The contract was filled with legal "jargon" and confusing "verbiage"."

What are some synonyms for "verbiage"?

Alternatives to "verbiage" include "wordiness", "verbosity", and "circumlocution". Each term has a slightly different nuance related to excessive or indirect language.

When is it appropriate to use the term "verbiage"?

Use "verbiage" when you wish to criticize excessive or unclear wording. It's suitable when language obscures rather than clarifies meaning, like in bureaucratic documents or overly complicated explanations.

What is the difference between "verbiage" and "diction"?

"Verbiage" generally has a negative connotation, referring to excessive or unnecessary words. On the other hand, "diction" is a neutral term that describes the choice of words used in speech or writing.