circumlocutory
circumlocutory — adjective
- circumlocutorypositive
- more circumlocutorycomparative
- most circumlocutorysuperlative
1. using far more words than necessary in order to avoid stating something directly
using far more words than necessary in order to avoid stating something directly or clearly
Paloma's circumlocutory email left the team unsure whether the project was approved or cancelled.
circumlocutory + email/message
The lawyer's circumlocutory opening statement frustrated the judge, who asked him to get to the point.
Faisal gave such a circumlocutory reply that no one at the meeting understood his actual position.
Dahlia found the government report too circumlocutory to extract a clear policy recommendation.
Instead of a direct apology, Ramón offered a circumlocutory explanation that avoided admitting any mistake.
- verbose
focuses on excessive word count without necessarily implying evasion
- rambling
suggests losing focus or logical thread, often unintentionally
- evasive
captures the avoidance but applies to non-verbal behaviour too and doesn't imply wordiness
- indirect
broader term for any non-straightforward communication, without the negative length connotation
- direct
states meaning plainly without extra words or detours
- concise
uses few words efficiently; the opposite of wordy evasion
- straightforward
clear and honest, without hiding meaning behind excess language
文法句型
circumlocutory + noun
too + circumlocutory + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Describes speech or writing (language, answer, explanation, style), not people or physical things. Do not confuse with 'circuitous', which refers to a physical route or path that is not direct.