verbose

Pronunciation: ver-BOHS

adjective

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of verbose

Using or containing more words than necessary, often to the point of being tedious or overly elaborate.

Origin of verbose

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: verbosus

Original meaning: full of words

How it evolved: From 'verbum' (word) in Latin, the term evolved to describe someone or something overly wordy or excessively detailed in English.

The word 'verbose' comes from Latin, where it described an abundance of words or verbosity in speech or writing.

First known use: 1670s

How to Remember verbose

Imagine someone 'verbally boasting' by using an excessive number of words—that’s being verbose!

Synonyms for verbose

Antonyms of verbose

verbose in a Sentence

  1. The professor's verbose lecture, though thorough, left many students struggling to distill the core points amidst the flood of words.
  2. Her verbose writing style made her arguments less impactful, as readers were distracted by the sheer volume of unnecessary details.
  3. The verbose legal document was filled with jargon and redundancies, making it difficult to understand without a lawyer’s guidance.

verbose in Literature & Culture

Verbose language has been criticized by notable figures like George Orwell in his essay 'Politics and the English Language,' where he emphasized the importance of clarity and simplicity in communication.

Usage Notes

Verbose often carries a negative connotation, implying unnecessary elaboration or lack of clarity. Avoid using it to describe someone’s speech or writing unless the excessiveness is a key point of critique.

Why verbose Matters for GRE & SAT

Verbose is a common GRE word used to test comprehension of tone and precision in writing. Understanding its connotation can help test-takers analyze verbose passages or distinguish between concise and wordy arguments.

Word Family

verbosity (noun)
The quality of using too many words.
verbosely (adverb)
In a verbose manner; with excessive wordiness.
verbal (adjective)
Relating to words or speech.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'verbose' is often used in software development as a term for detailed logs or outputs that contain additional information.
  • Famous author Ernest Hemingway was known for his concise style, making him the antithesis of verbose writers like Marcel Proust.
  • Verbose language is often parodied in comedic works, where overly elaborate speech or writing is used to humorous effect.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with V

  • vacillate — To alternate between different opinions or actions
  • vacillate — go back and forth with one's view
  • vacillate — go back and forth with one's view
  • vacuous — lacking intelligence or thought
  • vacuous — lacking intelligence or thought
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis; legally acceptable
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable