prolix

[proh-liks, proh-liks]

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adjective

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

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

Origin of prolix

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prōlixus extended, long, equivalent to prō- pro-¹ + -lixus, akin to līquī to flow; see liquor

Related formspro·lix·i·ty

[proh-lik-si-tee] /proʊˈlɪk sɪ ti/, pro·lix·ness, nounpro·lix·ly, adverbnon·pro·lix, adjectivenon·pro·lix·ly, adverbnon·pro·lix·ness, nounnon·pro·lix·i·ty, nouno·ver·pro·lix, adjectiveo·ver·pro·lix·ly, adverbo·ver·pro·lix·ness, nouno·ver·pro·lix·i·ty, nounun·pro·lix, adjective

Synonyms for prolix

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prolix ON THESAURUS.COM

1. prolonged, protracted. See wordy. 1, 2. verbose.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for prolix

diffuse, lengthy, rambling, tedious, verbose, windy, redundant, tiresome, wearisome, wordy, protracted

Examples from the Web for prolix

Contemporary Examples of prolix

Wordplay Bradlee could be prolix or pithy, as suited his ends.
Dear Asshole: The Letters of Ben Bradlee From New Biography
Matthew DeLuca
May 12, 2012

Historical Examples of prolix

Forgive, most kind reader, the prolix fondness with which I linger on this theme.
Confessions Of Con Cregan
Charles James Lever
To those who do not, I have been prolix without being profitable.
Confessions Of Con Cregan
Charles James Lever
From this it will be seen that Sir James was a prolix rather than a clear thinker.
Two Sides of the Face
Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
The inscription in which he describes the event is too prolix to be given here.
Pagan and Christian Rome
Rodolfo Lanciani
Be brief in thy discourse, for what is prolix cannot be pleasing.
Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

British Dictionary definitions for prolix

prolix

adjective

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

indulging in prolix speech or writing; long-winded

Derived Formsprolixity or rare prolixness, nounprolixly, adverb

Word Origin for prolix

C15: from Latin prōlixus stretched out widely, from pro- 1 + līquī to flow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prolix

adj.

early 15c., from Old French prolixe (13c.) and directly from Latin prolixus "extended," literally "poured out," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + base of liquere "to flow" (see liquid (adj.)).