1 prolix | Definition of prolix
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prolix

adjective
pro·​lix | \ prō-ˈliks How to pronounce prolix (audio) , ˈprō-(ˌ)liks How to pronounce prolix (audio) \

Definition of prolix

1 : unduly prolonged or drawn out : too long
2 : marked by or using an excess of words
Other Words from prolix Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about prolix

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Other Words from prolix

prolixity \ prō-​ˈlik-​sə-​tē How to pronounce prolixity (audio) \ noun
prolixly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for prolix

wordy, verbose, prolix, diffuse mean using more words than necessary to express thought. wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity. a wordy speech verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision. the verbose position papers prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details. habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style. diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

Did You Know?

There's no way to talk about prolix without being redundant, verbose, and wordy. That's because the word is a synonym of all of those long-winded terms. Of those words, prolix is the one most likely to suggest unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details. It derives from prolixus, a Latin term meaning "extended" or "copious." Prolixus originated from a combination of the prefix pro- (which means "forward") and the past participle of liquēre, a verb meaning "to be fluid." True to that history, something that is prolix flows on and on.

Examples of prolix in a Sentence

The speech was unnecessarily prolix. a person known for habitually transforming brief anecdotes into prolix sagas that exhaust their listeners

Recent Examples on the Web

 Yet readers today are often deterred by Conrad’s convoluted, prolix style. — The Economist, "Joseph Conrad, the first novelist of globalisation," 2 Nov. 2017 The collective pledges spiritual allegiance to Sun Ra, Prince and Betty Davis, and makes its intentions clear with prolix verbiage as well as tousled funk. — New York Times, "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week," 17 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prolix.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of prolix

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for prolix

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French prolix, from Latin prolixus extended, from pro- forward + liquēre to be fluid — more at liquid

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More Definitions for prolix

prolix

adjective
How to pronounce prolix (audio) How to pronounce prolix (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of prolix

formal + disapproving : using too many words

See the full definition for prolix in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on prolix

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with prolix

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prolix

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