sesquipedalian

[ ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn ]

Part of Speech adjective

Origin + Etymology

Mid 17th century; Latin from Latin sesquipedalis ‘a foot and a half long’, from sesqui- (see sesqui-) + pes, ped- ‘foot’

Synonyms

long-winded
bombastic
polysyllabic
grandiloquent
florid
prolix

Antonyms

short
concise

Definition

1. characterized by long words

2. (of a word) containing many syllables

Examples

1. Medical journals often have a sesquipedalian nature to them.

2. Supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus would be considered a sesquipedalian.

Usage Over Time

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Usage Over Time

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viscous

[ vis-kuhs ]

of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive

baksheesh

[ bak-sheesh ]

a tip, present, or gratuity

abject

[ ab-jekt ]

(of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing

malarkey

[ muh-lahr-kee ]

meaningless talk; nonsense

voyeuristic

[ vwah-yuh-ris-tik ]

relating to the pleasure gained from watching someone, especially secretively

belie

[ bih-lahy ]

to show to be false; contradict

treatise

[ tree-tis ]

a formal and systematic exposition in writing of the principles of a subject, generally longer and more detailed than an essay

inimical

[ ih-nim-i-kuhl ]

adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful

burgeon

[ bur-juhn ]

a bud