wordily

IPA/ˈwɜː.dəl.i/
IPA/ˈwɝː.dəl.i/

wordily — adverb

1. using more words than needed, especially in speaking or writing.

1.adverbC1
Definition

using more words than needed, especially in speaking or writing.

Example

Elise explained the delay wordily, repeating details everyone had already heard.

verb + wordily in an overlong explanation

Faisal wrote wordily about the picnic, turning one page into four.

writing context: wordily shows unnecessary length

Common collocations
  • explain wordily
  • write wordily
  • answer wordily
  • apologize wordily
Synonyms
  • verbosely

    more neutral and formal, often used in criticism of style

  • long-windedly

    more conversational and usually more openly impatient

  • diffusely

    suggests ideas spread out in an unfocused way, not just too many words

Antonyms
  • concisely

    emphasizes giving the same message in few words

  • briefly

    focuses on short length, sometimes without the precision of 'concisely'

Grammar Patterns

verb + wordily

speak/write + wordily

Usage Note

Most often modifies verbs of speaking or writing such as explain, answer, or write. It usually sounds critical, suggesting the speaker or writer used more words than the situation needed.

Common Mistakes

Her report was wordily.
Her report was wordy.
use 'wordily' for how someone speaks or writes, not for describing a thing directly.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Wordily' describes speech or writing that uses more words than necessary. 'Verbosely' is close in meaning but sounds more neutral and technical, so it often appears in style criticism or editing comments. 'Long-windedly' is more conversational and usually carries stronger impatience, especially when someone keeps talking without getting to the point. In short, 'wordily' is a formal critical choice, 'verbosely' is the most analytical, and 'long-windedly' is the most personal and annoyed.

wordily ↗verbosely ↗long-windedly

Common collocations

Phrases

  • explain wordily
  • write wordily
  • answer wordily

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Built in English from the adjective 'wordy' plus the adverb suffix '-ly'. 'Wordy' itself comes from 'word' with the suffix '-y', giving the sense of being full of words.