verbosity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "verbosity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the quality of using more words than necessary, often leading to a lack of clarity or conciseness in communication. Example: "The report was filled with verbosity, making it difficult to extract the key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Disraeli, Gladstone's greatest rival, recoiled from his rhetoric over Bulgaria, calling him an "unprincipled maniac" and "a sophistical rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity".

The Economist

In practice, though, Ms Yellen strives for consensus, which means sometimes shading her views of economic developments to accommodate her colleagues'.That job has got harder in recent years as FOMC members have dissented with growing frequency (see chart) and verbosity.

The Economist

History and French were his degree subjects, and his verbosity in French a source of pride.

The Economist

Many of those who do know what the slogan means (that the party must represent China's advanced productive forces, its advanced culture and the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people) find the notion soporific.Yet, buried in this morass of verbosity, is an idea that would have profoundly shocked both Marx and Mao.

The Economist

Michael Holroyd's assessment of its verbosity is hardly alluring: it reads, he said, like the work of Sir Thomas Browne, after being translated into French by Proust and subsequently rendered back into English by Henry James.

The Economist

As it happens, I interviewed Mr Goodwin for an article on West Virginia's judiciary (he was on the committee that reviewed the state's judiciary), and found him to have that rare blend of verbosity, evasiveness and mastery of boilerplate that augurs a long career in politics.

The Economist

Armed with academia's common weapons, indignation and verbosity, they said they were all "disturbed by the ideological and disciplinary preference implied by the university's massive support for the economic and political doctrines that have extended from Friedman's work", and pleaded for time for discussion.

The Economist

He was too polite to complete the thought: that European leaders, like senators, combine verbosity and limitless self-regard with a readiness to be bought off with money for voters back home, or favours for special interests.As the Czech presidency enters its death throes, expect more people to argue that only a full-time president can save Europe.

The Economist

Mr Saakashvili's exasperating habits were similarly damaging: disorganisation, self-indulgence, verbosity, favouritism and vindictiveness are just a few.

The Economist

With a huge stimulus package in the works, expect it soon to dump truckloads more banknotes on rural roads and bridges.To amplify the unfairness, senators have the power (not to mention the verbosity) to talk a bill to death.

The Economist

I think that the words on paper capture the odd verbosity of the thing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Aim for conciseness by eliminating unnecessary words and phrases. Review your writing to identify areas where you can express the same idea with fewer words.

Common error

Avoid assuming that using more words automatically makes your writing sound more sophisticated or intelligent. Eloquence lies in the precise and effective use of language, not in the sheer volume of words.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "verbosity" is that of a noun. It refers to the quality or state of using more words than necessary. As shown by Ludwig, it often describes writing or speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verbosity" is a noun that describes the excessive use of words, often to the detriment of clarity. Ludwig’s analysis shows that the term is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, it's important to avoid "verbosity" by aiming for conciseness and clarity. While the term can add complexity, it's also often used to point out communication flaws. Be mindful of source authority and grammatical correctness when using the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wordiness

Refers directly to the state of using too many words; a simpler synonym.

long-windedness

Implies speaking or writing at excessive length, often tediously.

loquacity

Suggests a tendency to talk a great deal, possibly excessively.

prolixity

Indicates excessive length and complexity in writing or speech.

circumlocution

Refers to speaking indirectly or evasively, often using many words when few would do.

redundancy

Indicates unnecessary repetition or the use of more elements than necessary.

diffuseness

Implies a lack of clarity and conciseness, spreading out over too many words.

garrulity

Suggests excessive talkativeness, often about trivial matters.

rhetorical excess

Focuses on the use of exaggerated or flowery language.

verbal abundance

A more literal and less common way to describe having too many words.

FAQs

How to use "verbosity" in a sentence?

You can use "verbosity" to describe writing or speech that is excessively wordy. For example: "The report suffered from unnecessary "verbosity"." or "The speaker's "verbosity" made it difficult to follow his argument.".

What can I say instead of "verbosity"?

You can use alternatives like "wordiness", "long-windedness", or "prolixity" depending on the context.

Is "verbosity" a negative term?

Yes, "verbosity" generally has a negative connotation. It implies that the communication is unnecessarily complex or difficult to understand due to the excessive use of words. Consider using simpler and clearer language instead.

What is the difference between "verbosity" and "eloquence"?

"Verbosity" refers to using more words than necessary, often hindering clarity, while "eloquence" refers to using language in a fluent, forceful, and appropriate manner, creating a strong and persuasive effect. While "eloquence" is a desired attribute, "verbosity" is typically seen as a flaw.