What does verbose mean?
Verbose describes speech or writing that uses more words than necessary to communicate an idea. A verbose account may be accurate and informative yet still frustrating because it delays the central point through repetition, qualification, or digression. The word is commonly used to criticize unnecessarily long explanations, essays, conversations, instructions, and responses, so it often carries a mildly disapproving connotation, although it can also describe a style neutrally when length itself is significant. Verbose is especially useful when the concern is not factual accuracy but economy and directness: two explanations may agree completely while one is verbose and the other concise. In everyday use, people often say that someone is “too verbose” when their remarks continue after the question has been answered. The adjective comes from Latin for “full of words,” making its meaning unusually transparent and memorable.
adjectiveUsing more words than are necessary to convey meaning, often making speech or writing unnecessarily long.
- Using more words than are necessary to express an idea.
"His explanation was technically accurate but unnecessarily verbose."
"The committee's report was verbose and took several pages to state a simple conclusion."
"Try to keep your answer concise rather than giving a verbose explanation."
Verbose literally comes from Latin for “full of words,” making its meaning unusually transparent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of verbose
Verbose entered English in the early 17th century from French verbose, a word based on Latin verbosus, meaning “full of words.” The Latin adjective in turn derives from verbum, meaning “word,” the same root behind verbal, verbatim, and verbiage. These relatives preserve the shared association with words, although their modern meanings are more specialized.
Related word forms
How verbose is actually used
The word is neutral when used descriptively but commonly sounds critical, particularly when applied to speech, writing, or a person's manner of communicating. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
Easily confused with verbose
Verbose describes language that is unnecessarily long, whereas verbal describes language expressed in words and does not necessarily imply excessive length.