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circumlocutious

circumlocutious

9.9
Using more words than needed to say what you mean in a roundabout way
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɜrkəmloʊˈkjuːʃəs/
translation icon : circunlocutorio
  • She answered the question in a circumlocutious manner, never truly addressing the main point.

Examples

  • His explanation was so circumlocutious that I lost track of the main point.

  • The instructions were so circumlocutious that no one could follow them.

  • His circumlocutious style frustrated readers who preferred a more direct approach.

  • She tends to give circumlocutious answers during interviews.

  • His circumlocutious explanation made it hard for them to understand his main point.

  • During the meeting, she provided a circumlocutious response that left everyone confused.

  • The politician's circumlocutious speech avoided giving a clear answer to the question.

Synonyms

long-winded
vscircumlocutious
18 5.8

Saying or writing more words than needed and taking too long

is more about indirect vagueness rather than boring length
wordy
vscircumlocutious
8 3.7

Using more words than needed makes the meaning hard to understand

is used to suggest deliberate indirectness rather than mere excess
verbose
vscircumlocutious
7 7.1

Using more words than needed in speech or writing

is focused on deliberate indirectness rather than general excess words
windy
vscircumlocutious
7 6.8

Using more words than needed when speaking or writing

is more about deliberate vagueness instead of mere lengthy talk
circumlocutory
vscircumlocutious
9.9

Using many words instead of saying something clearly to avoid a direct answer

is the same meaning but appears as an alternative form
ambagious
vscircumlocutious
  • Archaic
9.9

To speak or write in a roundabout, wordy way that hides the main point

is the same sense but shows a different variant form
periphrastic
vscircumlocutious
  • Literature
9.9

To use more words than needed in speech or writing to say something simple

is more about deliberate vagueness rather than neutral wordiness
logorrheic
vscircumlocutious
  • Specialized
9.9

Talking a lot quickly and without stopping

is deliberate indirectness instead of uncontrolled talkativeness in speech
pleonastic
vscircumlocutious
9.9

Using more words than needed, often repeating the same idea

is indirect roundabout expression rather than mere repetition
sesquipedalian
vscircumlocutious
  • Formal
9.9

Using long, difficult words in speech or writing

is about roundabout vagueness rather than fancy vocabulary choice

How Wordy

long-winded
18 5.8
wordy
8 3.7
circumlocutious
9.9
brief
587 2.0
succinct
18 6.4
concise
37 4.2

Surface Forms

circumlocutious positive

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.