verbosely

IPA/vɜːˈbəʊs.li/
IPA/vɚˈboʊs.li/

verbosely — adverb

1. speaking or writing with more words than needed, which can make your message unc

1.adverbB2
Definition

speaking or writing with more words than needed, which can make your message unclear or difficult to follow

Example

Nora explained the rules so verbosely that the children lost interest before she finished.

so + adverb + that + result clause

Henry described his trip verbosely, adding every tiny detail about the bus ride.

describe + verbosely + adding unnecessary detail

Common collocations
  • explain verbosely
  • describe verbosely
  • write verbosely
  • speak verbosely
Synonyms
  • wordily

    more informal and less common; suggests unnecessary repetition rather than just length

  • long-windedly

    informal; emphasizes that something feels endless because of too much detail

  • prolixly

    very formal and rare; typically used in literary criticism, not everyday speech

Antonyms
  • concisely

    using few words to say a lot; the direct opposite in terms of economy of language

  • succinctly

    expressing ideas clearly in a brief way, without losing meaning

Grammar Patterns

speak/write/explain + verbosely

so + verbosely + that clause

Usage Note

Typically appears after verbs of communication (explain, describe, write, speak, answer). Carries a mildly critical tone — it implies the speaker or writer could have been more direct.

Common Mistakes

She described her journey verbosely, showing everyone her photos.
She described her journey at length, showing everyone her photos.
'verbosely' always implies criticism (too wordy); use 'at length' or 'in detail' when the length is neutral or positive.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Verbose' and its adverb 'verbosely' are the most neutral-sounding way to criticise unnecessary wordiness — they appear in both formal writing and everyday complaint. 'Wordily' is less common and leans toward informal speech; it often suggests repetitiveness rather than just length. 'Long-windedly' is informal and vivid — it makes you imagine a speaker who goes on and on. The antonym 'concisely' describes the opposite skill: saying what needs to be said without extra words. For example: 'She concisely summarised the report in three bullet points' vs 'He verbosely explained the same point for ten minutes'.

verbosely ↗wordily ↗long-windedlyconcisely ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • explain verbosely
  • describe verbosely
  • write verbosely
  • speak verbosely
  • answer verbosely

Phrases

  • so verbosely that

Prepositions

  • verbosely about

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Comes from Latin 'verbosus' (full of words), which was built from 'verbum' (word). English borrowed 'verbose' in the 1600s, then formed the adverb 'verbosely' by adding the common '-ly' ending. The modern meaning — criticising someone for using too many words — has stayed stable since the 18th century.