View synonyms for circumlocution

circumlocution

[ sur-kuhm-loh-kyoo-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
Synonyms: prolixity, verbosity, rambling
a roundabout expression.

circumlocution

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈlɒkjʊtərɪ; ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃən; -trɪ /

circumlocution

Roundabout speech or writing: “The driveway was not unlike that military training device known as an obstacle course” is a circumlocution for “The driveway resembled an obstacle course.” Circumlocution comes from Latin words meaning “speaking around.”

cir·cum·loc·u·to·ry [sur-k, uh, m-, lok, -y, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], circum·lo·cution·al circum·lo·cution·ary adjective
uncir·cum·locu·tory adjective

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin circumlocūtiōn- (stem of circumlocūtiō ). See circum-, locution

On Monday, Mitt Romney stumbled into another ugly-yet-true circumlocution.

Mr. Kedge, without any circumlocution, asked whether he remembered any clerk of the name of Gordon having been in the house.

I took him outside the camp and without any circumlocution related the facts concerning his sister and Kirst.

He always disdained circumlocution, prided himself upon the directness and simplicity of his address.

The Polish composer Sowinski declared without circumlocution that Chopin "wrote admirably for the orchestra."

I have little time and no taste for circumlocution; I cannot conceal from myself that I am no favorite with your sister.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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