Circumlocutions

Circumlocutions are expressions that use an unnecessarily large number of words to convey a simple or straightforward idea. Often characterized by indirectness and verbosity, they can lead to confusion or misunderstanding. This term is derived from the Latin 'circumlocutio,' which means 'talking around' or using more words than needed.

Circumlocutions meaning with examples

• In a meeting, instead of directly suggesting a new strategy, she resorted to circumlocutions, discussing various team dynamics and market trends before finally presenting her idea, which could have been communicated in a single sentence.
• His circumlocutions during the presentation kept the audience engaged, but they left feeling puzzled about the core message he aimed to convey, showing that sometimes less is more in communication.
• The author’s use of circumlocutions in the novel added a layer of complexity to the characters’ dialogues, making their motivations seem deeper, even if the readers sometimes wished for clearer statements.
• During the interview, the politician's circumlocutions prevented him from answering the question directly, which frustrated the journalists who were seeking straightforward answers regarding his policy positions.
• She often employed circumlocutions in her writing, beautifully wrapping her ideas in flowery language, but at times, it obscured the main point she was trying to convey, leaving readers needing clarification.