oververbery
Describes language, writing, or speech that is excessively wordy or redundant to the point of being tedious. It refers to the habit of using more words than necessary, often obscuring the intended message with unnecessary fluff.
Examples
3 of 5I told him to keep the instructions simple, but he delivered an oververbery manual that confused everyone.
I told him to keep the instructions simple, but he delivered an oververbery manual that confused everyone.
The legal counsel was criticized for an oververbery defense that failed to address the core allegations directly.
The legal counsel was criticized for an oververbery defense that failed to address the core allegations directly.
Cut the oververbery talk and just tell me if you're coming to the party or not.
Cut the oververbery talk and just tell me if you're coming to the party or not.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Visualize a 'verb factory' (ery) that is 'over' (excessively) producing words. An 'over-verb-ery' text is a factory of too many verbs.
Quick Quiz
The editor suggested that the author trim the ______ introduction to get to the main point faster.
Correct!
The correct answer is: oververbery
Examples
I told him to keep the instructions simple, but he delivered an oververbery manual that confused everyone.
everydayI told him to keep the instructions simple, but he delivered an oververbery manual that confused everyone.
The legal counsel was criticized for an oververbery defense that failed to address the core allegations directly.
formalThe legal counsel was criticized for an oververbery defense that failed to address the core allegations directly.
Cut the oververbery talk and just tell me if you're coming to the party or not.
informalCut the oververbery talk and just tell me if you're coming to the party or not.
The peer review noted that the dissertation was oververbery, suggesting that the author prioritize clarity over complexity.
academicThe peer review noted that the dissertation was oververbery, suggesting that the author prioritize clarity over complexity.
Our brand identity is minimalist, so we must avoid oververbery marketing copy at all costs.
businessOur brand identity is minimalist, so we must avoid oververbery marketing copy at all costs.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
lost in oververbery
lost in oververbery
the heights of oververbery
the heights of oververbery
riddled with oververbery
riddled with oververbery
Often Confused With
Overbearing describes a domineering or bossy personality, whereas oververbery refers specifically to excessive wordiness.
Verbiage is a noun meaning the excess of words, while oververbery is the adjective describing the quality of that excess.
Usage Notes
Use this word primarily in formal or academic critiques to describe writing that lacks brevity. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the speaker is being unnecessarily difficult to understand.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use this as a noun because of the '-ery' suffix; remember it functions as an adjective like 'slippery' or 'flowery'.
Memory Tip
Visualize a 'verb factory' (ery) that is 'over' (excessively) producing words. An 'over-verb-ery' text is a factory of too many verbs.
Word Origin
A modern construction combining the prefix 'over-' (excessive), 'verb' (from Latin verbum, meaning word), and the suffix '-ery' (characterizing a quality or state).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Anglo-American business culture, oververbery communication is often viewed as a sign of inefficiency or an attempt to hide a lack of substance.
Quick Quiz
The editor suggested that the author trim the ______ introduction to get to the main point faster.
Correct!
The correct answer is: oververbery
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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