verbose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "verbose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "using or expressed in more words than necessary; long-winded." For example, "Although she was passionate about the topic, her presentation was too verbose and it made it difficult for the audience to pay attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Submarine call themselves "the world's premier destination for original transmedia dramas, documentaries and genre-defying entertainment", which sounds verbose and pretentious, but their latest interactive documentary – Who are the champions?

The Guardian - Sport

"You're welcome," he replies, after consulting a thesaurus to find the most needlessly verbose synonyms for the words "you're" and "welcome".

The Guardian

Timothy Olyphant's drawlin', brawlin', Stetson-sportin' US marshal Raylan Givens has verbose criminal kingpin Boyd Crowder firmly in his sights, a showdown for which viewers have been gearing up for six years.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But golf may never have seen a group of players as verbose, Internet-extroverted and media savvy as the handful of Europeans charging into the top of the world rankings.

The New York Times - Sports

If you know it, try using the website's numerical address rather than its verbose URL (Universal Resource Locator) name.

The Economist

IN THE verbose annals of Latin American integration, the declaration of Lima of April 2011 stands out for its rare combination of brevity and impact.

The Economist

Archbishop Ieronymos, a more sympathetic and less verbose figure than some of his recent predecessors, addressed [in Greek] the issue in a newspaper column yesterday, using a tone that was pretty humane, as church statements on the matter go.

The Economist

Alan Greenspan's soothing, if rather verbose, words on America's housing market in 2005 rank high on history's list of infamous predictions.

The Economist

Rather than rely on models which can never capture the complexity of human interaction, banks and investors should instead trust the judgment of experienced traders and managers.The book is fizzing with ideas but the reader has to wade through Mr Triana's verbose and convoluted prose, of which the final sentence is surely the most depressing example.

The Economist

It is now the eighth most-used language on Twitter with over 2m public tweets every day, according to Semiocast, a Paris-based company that analyses social-media trends.Romance tongues, among others, generally tend to be more verbose (see chart).

The Economist

Sarah Palin's sentences were not only longer than those of Joe Biden, her supposedly verbose rival, but were slightly longer than Mr Obama's.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, avoid using "verbose" language. Prioritize concise and direct communication to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Don't assume that using many words equates to eloquence. While eloquence involves skillful and persuasive language, "verbose" implies unnecessary wordiness that can detract from the message. Instead, focus on choosing the right words, not just more words.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "verbose" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something characterized by an excessive use of words. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing it effectively modifies other nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verbose" is an adjective used to describe something characterized by excessive wordiness. Ludwig AI confirms the word is grammatically correct and its meaning is to express something with too many words. It's frequently used in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, with authoritative sources like The Economist and The New Yorker often employing the term. When writing, aim for conciseness and avoid being "verbose" to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "wordy" or "long-winded" can be used, but be mindful of their slightly different connotations. Be especially cautious not to confuse "verbose" with eloquence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-winded

Implies unnecessary length and indirectness in speech or writing.

wordy

Focuses on the use of too many words, often without adding substance.

loquacious

Describes someone who talks a great deal, often effortlessly.

garrulous

Suggests excessive talkativeness, often about trivial matters.

prolix

Indicates excessive length and detail, often to the point of boredom.

circumlocutory

Describes the use of indirect and roundabout language.

rambling

Suggests a lack of clear focus or direction in speech or writing.

effusive

Characterizes unrestrained emotional expression, often with many words.

chatty

Informal term for someone who enjoys talking a lot in a friendly way.

windy

Similar to long-winded, but with a greater emphasis on emptiness or lack of substance.

FAQs

How to use "verbose" in a sentence?

You can use "verbose" to describe writing or speech that uses more words than necessary. For example, "The professor's lectures were often too verbose, making it difficult for students to follow."

What can I say instead of "verbose"?

You can use alternatives like "wordy", "long-winded", or "prolix" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "verbose" or "concise"?

"Verbose" and "concise" are antonyms. "Verbose" means using more words than necessary, while "concise" means giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.

What's the difference between "verbose" and "loquacious"?

"Verbose" describes writing or speech that uses more words than necessary, whereas "loquacious" describes someone who talks a great deal; one refers to style, the other to a person's habit.