polysyllabic

[ pol-ee-si-lab-ik ]

adjective

1. consisting of several, especially four or more, syllables, as a word.
2. characterized by such words, as a language, piece of writing, etc.

polysyllabic

/ ˌpɒlɪsɪˈlæbɪk /

adjective

1. consisting of more than two syllables

Derived Forms

• ˌpolysylˈlabically, adverb

Other Words From

• poly·syl·labi·cal·ly adverb
• hyper·poly·syl·labic adjective
• hyper·poly·syl·labi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polysyllabic¹

1650–60; < Medieval Latin polysyllab ( us ) of many syllables (< Greek polysýllabos ) + -ic. See poly-, syllabic

Example Sentences

Warnock was chosen to represent his class, and delivered an address in what I always think of as the Morehouse manner—-passionate, syncopated, and polysyllabic.

From TIme

They are Episcopalians or Presbyterians or some other correspondingly polysyllabic thing, as the case may be.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence the polysyllabic, and the descriptive character of the language, so composite in its aspect and in its forms.

From Project Gutenberg

The first difference between Chinese and Japanese is that the former is monosyllabic, whilst the latter is polysyllabic.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the most obvious defects of this school is excessive attachment to polysyllabic terms.

From Project Gutenberg

To what inconsequent polysyllabic question of his host did the guest return a monosyllabic negative answer?

From Project Gutenberg