What does wordiest mean?
“Wordiest” is the superlative of “wordy” and means having or using more words than anyone or anything else in a comparison. It commonly describes an excessively talkative person, a speech filled with repetition, or a written explanation that takes longer than necessary. The word is often mildly critical, although it can also be used playfully to describe someone who has much to say or a particularly elaborate piece of writing. In formal contexts, “most verbose” or “most talkative” may sound less pointed, while “wordiest” is especially effective when the quantity of words is itself the noteworthy feature. As a superlative, it normally takes “the” or stands in a clear comparison: “the wordiest speaker in the debate.” The related noun “wordiness” describes excessive use of words, and the adverb “wordily” describes speaking or writing at unnecessary length.
adjectiveHaving or using the greatest number of words; excessively talkative or verbose.
- Having or using the greatest number of words; excessively talkative or verbose.
"She was the wordiest speaker at the meeting, repeating the same point in several different ways."
"The wordiest witness gave the judge a twenty-minute answer to a yes-or-no question."
"Among all the submitted explanations, the wordiest was also the least clear."
In a world where brevity is a virtue, the wordiest gets the last word—and the longest speech.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wordiest
“Wordiest” was formed by adding the superlative ending “-est” to “wordy,” an English adjective derived from “word” with the suffix “-y.” Its ultimate root is the Old English “word,” a Germanic term related to words such as German “Wort” and Dutch “woord.” The modern form follows the ordinary English pattern in which “-y” changes to “-i” before the comparative and superlative endings, producing “wordier” and “wordiest.”
Related word forms
How wordiest is actually used
The word is neutral in tone but usually mildly disapproving or humorous. Its superlative form can describe the most talkative person in a group, the most verbose text in a collection, or the entry containing the greatest number of words.
Easily confused with wordiest
“Wordy” means verbose or full of words, while “wordiest” is the superlative form used to compare several people or things and identify the one who uses the most words.