prolix

American  

[proh-liks, proh-liks] / proʊˈlɪks, ˈproʊ lɪks /

adjective

1. extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy.

   Synonyms:

   verbose, protracted

2. (of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length.

   Synonyms:

   verbose

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prolix British  

/ ˈprəʊlɪks, prəʊˈlɪks /

adjective

1. (of a speech, book, etc) so long as to be boring; verbose

2. indulging in prolix speech or writing; long-winded

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Related Words

See wordy.

Other Word Forms

• overprolix adjective
• prolixity noun
• prolixly adverb
• prolixness noun

Etymology

Origin of prolix

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin prōlixus “extended, long,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + -lixus, akin to līquī “to flow”; liquor

Explanation

A book that feels like it is several hundred pages longer than it needs to be is prolix. The word simply means that something has too many words and goes on too long. To avoid being called prolix, we'll keep this short. Prolix means using more words than necessary. For a less formal word choice try wordy, verbose, long-winded or drawn out.

Example Sentences

The world premiere, “Have We Met?!,” choreographed by Juliano Nunes, is a 33-minute, two-part, prolix affair for two featured couples.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

He wasn’t a particularly gifted or prolix orator.

From Washington Times • Feb. 20, 2022

A certain type of actor thrives in these prolix circumstances.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2021

On airplanes, she said, she could quickly shut down the annoying small talk of prolix seatmates when they asked, “What do you do?”

From Washington Post • Jul. 13, 2021

Many more, not to be prolix, I omit.

From Arguments Of Celsus, Porphyry, And The Emperor Julian, Against The Christians Also Extracts from Diodorus Siculus, Josephus, and Tacitus, Relating to the Jews, Together with an Appendix by Taylor, Thomas