verbose

adjective ver·bose \ (ˌ)vər-ˈbōs \

Definition of verbose

1 :containing more words than necessary :wordy

a verbose reply

; also :impaired by wordiness

a verbose style

2 :given to wordiness

a verbose orator

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verbosely

adverb

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verboseness

noun

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verbosity

play \(ˌ)vər-ˈbä-sə-tē\ noun

See verbose defined for English-language learners

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verbose was our Word of the Day on 04/30/2013. Hear the podcast!

Examples of verbose in a Sentence

Something seems to have gone seriously wrong with the subediting and proof-reading of this self-indulgently verbose and misprint-ridden production, which is further flawed by a mis-match between the author's vaulting theoretical ambitions and his scholarly limitations, notably his faulty grasp of ancient Greek and inability to deliver a clear and consistent line of reasoned and logical argument. —Paul Cartledge, Times Literary Supplement, 8 Mar. 1991
What makes this tiny tome so much fun are the answers. There are occasional one-word zingers: to a verbose question as to whether a resident of a planet with two suns would have two shadows, Merlin's response is "Yes." The longest answers are about a page in length and seem to be triggered when a questioner happens upon one of the author's favorite topics or pet peeves, such as relativity, tachyons, and the endangered ozone layer. —James H. Sharp, Air & Space Smithsonian, February/March 1990
I must confess … that if I had known how many classics there are in English literature, and how verbose the best of them contrive to be, I should never have undertaken the work. They only allow one seventy thousand words, you see. —Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915
He is a verbose speaker.
She has a verbose writing style.

Recent Examples of verbose from the Web

Liam Cunningham, always one of the most energetic and delightfully verbose members of the Game of Thrones case, was his usual self on the panel.

— josh wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Game of Thrones': The Night King Comes for the Comic-Con Panel," 21 July 2017
Liefeld, similarly to his comic counterpart, is a quick-witted, sardonically charming individual who can fit more words into one brief exchange than even the most verbose orator that addressed a crowd.

— patrick shanley, The Hollywood Reporter, "Deadpool Creator on Sending the Antihero Back to Middle School and "Home Run" Cable Casting," 17 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'verbose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.