Wordiness
noun
The quality of being long and dull in expression.
Despite his powerful argument, his presentation was criticized for its wordiness.
Often appears as...
- excessive wordiness
- reduce wordiness
noun
Manipulation or use of excess words to avoid expressing an intended point or idea clearly.
Politicians resort to wordiness that obscures the intended meaning of their message.
Often appears as...
- political wordiness
- avoid wordiness
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The quality of being long and dull in expression.
Despite his powerful argument, his presentation was criticized for its wordiness.
Often appears as...
- excessive wordiness
- reduce wordiness
noun
Manipulation or use of excess words to avoid expressing an intended point or idea clearly.
Politicians resort to wordiness that obscures the intended meaning of their message.
Often appears as...
- political wordiness
- avoid wordiness
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Clarity Over Detail
Wordiness can obscure your main point; prioritize making your ideas clear.
His wordiness made the lecture confusing, not informative.
Pro Tip 2/3Audience Engagement
Excessive wordiness can bore or frustrate your audience, be concise to keep their interest.
To engage her readers, she cut the wordiness from her stories.
Pro Tip 3/3Professional Writing
In business or academic contexts, wordiness is often frowned upon. Be succinct.
Her report was good, but the wordiness might be criticized.
Pro Tip 1/3Clarity Over Detail
Wordiness can obscure your main point; prioritize making your ideas clear.
His wordiness made the lecture confusing, not informative.
Pro Tip 2/3Audience Engagement
Excessive wordiness can bore or frustrate your audience, be concise to keep their interest.
To engage her readers, she cut the wordiness from her stories.
Pro Tip 3/3Professional Writing
In business or academic contexts, wordiness is often frowned upon. Be succinct.
Her report was good, but the wordiness might be criticized.
Pro Tip 1/3Clarity Over Detail
Wordiness can obscure your main point; prioritize making your ideas clear.
His wordiness made the lecture confusing, not informative.
Pro Tip 2/3Audience Engagement
Excessive wordiness can bore or frustrate your audience, be concise to keep their interest.
To engage her readers, she cut the wordiness from her stories.
Pro Tip 3/3Professional Writing
In business or academic contexts, wordiness is often frowned upon. Be succinct.
Her report was good, but the wordiness might be criticized.
Compare with
circumlocutiongabloquacityperiphrasispleonasmprolixityredundancytautologyverbosity
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Quote examples
Robert Krulwich
American Journalist
I did television for a very long time, but if you're on television, words don't count. What the eye sees beats the words. If you switch sides, from radio to television, you learn that the wordiness that you learn on the radio is useless or not nearly as powerful, and you have to learn to trust that the eye will just beat the ear.
Quote examples
Nancy Kress
American Writer
If you consistently write 'The sun set' rather than 'The sun sank slowly in the bright western sky,' your story will move three times as fast. Of course, there are times you want the longer version for atmosphere - but not many. Wordiness not only kills pace; it bores readers.
Quote examples
Robert Krulwich
American Journalist
I did television for a very long time, but if you're on television, words don't count. What the eye sees beats the words. If you switch sides, from radio to television, you learn that the wordiness that you learn on the radio is useless or not nearly as powerful, and you have to learn to trust that the eye will just beat the ear.
Quote examples
Nancy Kress
American Writer
If you consistently write 'The sun set' rather than 'The sun sank slowly in the bright western sky,' your story will move three times as fast. Of course, there are times you want the longer version for atmosphere - but not many. Wordiness not only kills pace; it bores readers.
Example 1 of 2
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