prolix

[ proh-liks, proh-liks ]

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

prolix

/ 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

Derived Forms

• proˈlixity, noun
• proˈlixly, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·lix·i·ty [proh-, lik, -si-tee], pro·lix·ness noun
• pro·lix·ly adverb
• o·ver·pro·lix adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolix¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolix¹

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

Synonym Study

See wordy.

Example Sentences

Or perhaps poetic justice demands that the life of an unstoppably prolix author be parceled out in multiple, overlapping volumes.

From The Daily Beast

Glenn Greenwald is raising a stink about this in his usual prolix way, and so on and so on.

From The Daily Beast

Wordplay Bradlee could be prolix or pithy, as suited his ends.

From The Daily Beast

When they stopped for lack of breath, Master Baptist would ask questions, which usually called forth prolix replies.

From Project Gutenberg

It is prolix, and in many parts whimsical; but contains some of the boldest reasonings to be found in print.

From Project Gutenberg

I grant that they deck Nature with somewhat too prolix a grace; but is beauty always best seen in deshabille?

From Project Gutenberg

Baha's style is rhetorical, verbose, prolix, but with a certain strength.

From Project Gutenberg

This excuse may serve in lieu of a better for the somewhat prolix method in which these rules are presented.

From Project Gutenberg