circumlocution
noun | /circumlocution/
Advanced WordsHARD
the use of many words where fewer would do, often to be vague or evasive
circumlocution
noun | /circumlocution/
Advanced WordsHARDthe use of many words where fewer would do, often to be vague or evasive
Learning Progress
Synonyms
periphrasisverbosityindirectnesseuphemism
Antonyms
brevityconcisiondirectness
Examples
"The writer's circumlocution made the text unnecessarily complex."
"Avoid circumlocution in exam answers; be concise."
Mnemonic Trick
CIRCUMLOCUTION → CIRCUM (around) + LOCUTION (speech) — talking around the point.
Etymology
From Latin circumlocutio “speaking around.”
Used for unnecessarily wordy or evasive language.
Source: Advanced WordsAdded: 9/28/2025
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