prolix

adjective pro·lix \prō-ˈliks, ˈprō-(ˌ)\

: using too many words

Full Definition of PROLIX

: unduly prolonged or drawn out : too long

: marked by or using an excess of words

— pro·lix·i·ty \prō-ˈlik-sə-tē\ noun

— pro·lix·ly adverb

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Origin of PROLIX

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French prolix, from Latin prolixus extended, from pro- forward + liquēre to be fluid — more at liquid

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROLIX

Synonyms: circuitous, circumlocutory, diffuse, garrulous, logorrheic, long-winded, pleonastic, wordy, rambling, verbose, windy

Antonyms: compact, concise, crisp, pithy, succinct, terse

Synonym Discussion of PROLIX

wordy, verbose, prolix, diffuse mean using more words than necessary to express thought. wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity <a wordy speech>. verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision <the verbose position papers>. prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details <habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas>. diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style <diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories>.

Rhymes with PROLIX

admix, affix, commix, deep-six, immix, infix, postfix, prefix, premix, prix fixe, quick fix, suffix, trail mix, transfix, unfix

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