sesquipedalian
given to using long words.
(of a word) containing many syllables.
a sesquipedalian word.
Origin of sesquipedalian
1Other words from sesquipedalian
- ses·qui·pe·dal·i·ty [ses-kwi-pi-dal-i-tee], /ˌsɛs kwɪ pɪˈdæl ɪ ti/, ses·qui·pe·da·li·an·ism, ses·quip·e·dal·ism [ses-kwip-i-dl-iz-uhm, ‐kwi-peed-l-iz-uhm], /sɛsˈkwɪp ɪ dlˌɪz əm, ‐kwɪˈpid lˌɪz əm/, noun
- un·ses·qui·pe·da·li·an, adjective
Words Nearby sesquipedalian
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sesquipedalian in a sentence
You know I am nothing if not "sesquipedalian" and scientific; and a word of five syllables will do for both qualities.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. III (of 3) | George EliotThat colored orator and model letter-writer must look to his sesquipedalian fame.
The story of any incident, to be realistic, will admit neither of sesquipedalian grandeur nor of grotesque images.
Thackeray | Anthony TrollopeI felt satisfied it was a friendly one; and was now more anxious than ever of overtaking its sesquipedalian owner.
The Wild Huntress | Mayne ReidThe description of the scene, in somewhat sesquipedalian Latin, is quoted by Spitta, i. 801.
Sebastian Bach | Reginald Lane Poole
British Dictionary definitions for sesquipedalian
less commonly sesquipedal (sɛsˈkwɪpədəl)
/ (ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən) /
tending to use very long words
(of words or expressions) long and ponderous; polysyllabic
a polysyllabic word
Origin of sesquipedalian
1Derived forms of sesquipedalian
- sesquipedalianism, noun
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
Browse