circumlocutious
- adjective
- /ˌsɜrkəmloʊˈkjuːʃəs/
- She answered the question in a circumlocutious manner, never truly addressing the main point.
Examples
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His explanation was so circumlocutious that I lost track of the main point.
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The instructions were so circumlocutious that no one could follow them.
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His circumlocutious style frustrated readers who preferred a more direct approach.
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She tends to give circumlocutious answers during interviews.
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His circumlocutious explanation made it hard for them to understand his main point.
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During the meeting, she provided a circumlocutious response that left everyone confused.
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The politician's circumlocutious speech avoided giving a clear answer to the question.
Synonyms
18
5.8
Saying or writing more words than needed and taking too long
9
3.7
Using more words than needed makes the meaning hard to understand
7
7.1
Using more words than needed in speech or writing
2
6.8
Using more words than needed when speaking or writing
1
9.9
Using long, difficult words in speech or writing
1
9.9
Using more words than needed, often repeating the same idea
1
9.9
Using many words instead of saying something clearly to avoid a direct answer
1
9.9
Talking a lot quickly and without stopping
1
9.9
To use more words than needed in speech or writing to say something simple
To speak or write in a roundabout, wordy way that hides the main point
How Wordy
Surface Forms
Morphology
circumlocutious = circumlocution (semi-transparent) = circum + locut + ious
The adjective is formed by adding the regular adjectival suffix '-ious' to the noun 'circumlocution', a straightforward derivational step.
Etymology
Circumlocutious is made from circum- 'around' and locut- 'to speak', the same root you see in eloquent. It literally means 'speaking around', so it describes someone who uses more words than needed or talks in a roundabout way.