What does wordy mean?
Wordy is an adjective describing language that uses too many words, often making an idea slower, less clear, or harder to follow than it needs to be. A wordy explanation may contain useful information but bury its central point beneath repetition, elaborate qualifications, or unnecessarily complex phrasing. The word can describe writing, speech, titles, and styles, as in “wordy prose” or “a wordy but accurate account.” It is related in meaning to words such as verbose, prolix, and long-winded, and its opposite is concise. Although wordy is sometimes used as a general criticism, it does not necessarily mean that the language is poor or unintelligent; it may simply be inefficient. The adjective is useful because it identifies a common problem in communication and gives a more precise alternative to saying that something is “too long” or “hard to understand.”
adjectiveUsing more words than are necessary to express an idea; excessively verbose. It can also describe writing or speech that is long and difficult to follow.
- Using more words than are necessary to express an idea, especially in a way that makes the meaning difficult to understand.
"The explanation was clear in substance, but far too wordy to be useful in a presentation."
"The report contains several important findings, but its wordy style obscures them."
"Could you make your explanation less wordy and more direct?"
“Wordy” is almost a warning label: when language becomes wordy, it often says less than it seems to.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wordy come from?
Wordy was formed in English from the noun word and the suffix -y, meaning “full of” or “characterized by.” The underlying noun is the Old English word, inherited from the Germanic language family, while the adjective appears in early modern English with its modern sense of being excessively or diffusely verbal. Related English forms such as wording, wordless, and wordsmith reflect the same basic lexical root.
Related word forms
How wordy is actually used
The term is usually neutral to mildly disapproving. It is common in discussion of writing, speech, explanations, and prose, but is generally avoided in formal praise unless the context makes the criticism clear.