long-winded
/'lɔɳ'windid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Using or containing too many words: Describes speech or writing that is unnecessarily lengthy, often to the point of being tedious or boring.
- Verbose, wordy: Characterized by an excess of words, making communication less effective or clear.
Usage
- The adjective "long-winded" is used to describe a person, their speech, or their writing. It is a critical term, implying that the communication is inefficient and could be much shorter.
- It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a long-winded explanation) or follows a linking verb (e.g., His speech was long-winded).
Examples
- Describing speech or a speaker:
- The professor's long-winded lecture made it difficult to identify the main points.
- He is a kind man, but he can be terribly long-winded when telling a story.
- Describing writing or text:
- I found the report to be long-winded and repetitive.
- The novel's long-winded descriptions slowed down the pace of the story.
Advanced Usage
- "To be/get long-winded": To speak or write in a lengthy, verbose manner.
- She tends to get long-winded when discussing her favorite topic.
- "A long-winded way of saying...": Used to introduce a concise summary after describing something verbosely.
- In a long-winded way, he was simply trying to apologize.
Variants and Related Words
- Long-windedness (noun): The quality of being long-winded.
- The long-windedness of the document frustrated the reviewers.
- Windy (adjective): A less common, informal synonym for long-winded, especially regarding speech.
- The politician gave a windy speech full of empty promises.
Synonyms
- Verbose: Using more words than needed.
- Wordy: Containing many words, often more than necessary.
- Prolix: (Formal) Tediously lengthy.
- Rambling: Lengthy and digressive.
Antonyms
- Concise: Giving a lot of information clearly and in few words.
- Succinct: Briefly and clearly expressed.
- Terse: Sparing in the use of words, sometimes to the point of rudeness.
- Laconic: Using very few words.
Idioms and Phrases
- "To beat around the bush": To avoid talking about what is important, often leading to long-winded, indirect speech. While not identical, it often results in a long-winded conversation.
- Stop beating around the bush and get to the point!
Adjective
- using or containing too many words
- long-winded (or windy) speakers
- verbose and ineffective instructional methods
- newspapers of the day printed long wordy editorials
- proceedings were delayed by wordy disputes