Verbosity

Noun

Definition: the fact or quality of using more words than needed; wordiness.

Synonyms: Prolixity, Long-windedness, Loquacity

Antonyms: Conciseness, Brevity

Examples:
  • His verbosity was evident in his lengthy and convoluted speech.
  • The document contained unnecessary verbosity, making it difficult to understand.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "verbosity" as the excessive use of words, where one is verbose rather than concise.
  • Verbosity can sometimes be seen as someone "verbalizing" excessively.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "verbosity" is derived from the Latin word "verbum" meaning "word" and the suffix "-osity" meaning "quality or state of being."

Historical Usage:

The usage of the term "verbosity" can be traced back to the 18th century, where it has been used to describe the excessive use of words in both spoken and written communication.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Cut through the verbosity"

Explanation:

To eliminate unnecessary and convoluted language or to get straight to the point.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Verbosity is always a negative trait in communication.

Explanation:

While verbosity often implies a lack of conciseness, there may be instances where a more extensive use of words is necessary or preferred, such as in literary writing or detailed explanations. However, excessive verbosity without adding meaningful content can lead to communication challenges and difficulties in understanding.

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