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long-winded

long-winded

18 5.8
Saying or writing more words than needed and taking too long
  • adjective
  • /ˈlɔːŋˌwɪndɪd/
translation icon : verboso
  • We're all put off at parties when a long-winded bore corners us.
  • long-winded speech

And so that was a long winded response to your question.

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Examples

  • His long-winded explanation made the meeting feel twice as long.

  • The point of this long winded introduction here is thank you.

  • And so that was a long winded response to your question.

  • So that might have been a long winded way to explain it, but you did great.

  • OK, fine, I guess I can be a little long-winded at times.

    Academic text (2016)
  • There are few things in life worse than a long-winded lawyer.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I figured he had not found my long-winded speech too annoying.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Anyway, a long winded way of saying I have always struggled with this idea of courage.

  • So that's my very long winded answer to that question.

  • Bill Harding is the most long-winded man I have ever known in my life.

Synonyms

lengthy
vslong-winded
109 3.5

Lasting a long time and making people bored

relates to time span rather than excessive word use
rambling
vslong-winded
33 5.5

Long confused speech or writing that is hard to follow

shares length but differs by adding disorder and poor structure
wordy
vslong-winded
8 3.7

Using more words than needed makes the meaning hard to understand

expresses the same idea but with a stronger negative feel
verbose
vslong-winded
7 7.1

Using more words than needed in speech or writing

is focused on extra wording without technical tone
windy
vslong-winded
7 6.8

Using more words than needed when speaking or writing

means the same idea but often feels informal or chatty
drawn-out
vslong-winded
1 5.0

Said slowly with sounds made longer

focuses on slow duration not necessarily extra words or verbosity
prolix
vslong-winded
  • Formal
1 9.5

Using too many words so it is hard to follow

is the common informal complaint about excessive wording
periphrastic
vslong-winded
  • Literature
9.9

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

is about excess words but not necessarily indirect phrasing
circumlocutious
vslong-winded
9.9

Using more words than needed to say what you mean in a roundabout way

is similar but usually less about deliberate indirectness
logorrheic
vslong-winded
  • Specialized
9.9

Talking a lot quickly and without stopping

is more intense, focusing on unstoppable speech rather than mere length
pleonastic
vslong-winded
9.9

Using more words than needed, often repeating the same idea

is about extra wording but emphasizes repetition rather than length

Antonyms

587 2.0

Using few words or lasting only a short time

37 4.2

Using few words to give important information clearly

How Verbose

long-winded
18 5.8
wordy
8 3.7
concise
37 4.2

Surface Forms

long-winded positive
long-windeder comparative
long-windedest superlative

Morphology

long-winded = long + winded (semi-transparent) = long + wind + ed

Formally a compound of 'long' + 'winded' where 'winded' relates to breath; the sense 'tediously lengthy' is a metaphorical extension, so not fully transparent for all learners.

Etymology

Long-winded is made of long meaning 'long in time' and winded from 'wind' meaning 'breath', like when you are 'out of breath' after running. That's why long-winded describes someone who talks so much they seem to need many breaths or simply uses too many words.