Prolix
proh-LIKS
/proʊˈlɪks/
Using or containing too many words; tedious and unnecessarily lengthy.
Stronger than verbose; implies that the length makes the material painfully boring or dense.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'prolixus', formed from 'pro-' (forth) and 'liquere' (to flow). It originally described liquids overflowing or spilling beyond their natural boundaries.
Word relationships
- verbose: 'Verbose' focuses on excessive word count; 'prolix' stresses tedious, tiresome length.
- long-winded: 'Long-winded' is everyday language; 'prolix' is formal literary terminology.
- concise: Brief and directly to the point.
- pithy: Brief, forcefulness, and full of vigor.
Commonly confused with
- prolific: 'Prolific' means producing a large quantity of work; 'prolix' means using too many words.
Word family
- prolixity (noun): Tedious wordiness or length.
- prolixly (adverb): In an excessively tedious and wordy manner.
Collocations
- prolix writer
- prolix legal document
- prolix prose
- prolix commentary
Idioms & expressions
- drawn-out
- stretched beyond reason
Example sentences
- "The professor's prolix lecture style caused half the class to fall asleep before the main argument was introduced." Academic Review
Memory hook
Prolix sounds like 'pro-liquid'—words pouring out like liquid and overflowing the page. Prolix = Poured-out prose.
When not to use
Do not use in casual everyday conversations; it is a elevated scholarly critique.
Fun facts
- In Renaissance rhetoric, prolixity was condemned as a major sin against clarity.
Related words
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