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sesquipedalian
/ˌsɛskwɪpəˈdeɪliən/
using long, complex words
His sesquipedalian speech was hard to follow.
His speech used very long, complicated words, making it difficult to understand.
literary
Characterized by or using long, polysyllabic words.
The professor's sesquipedalian lecture left many students confused.
The professor's lecture, filled with overly long and complex words, confused many students.
Her sesquipedalian vocabulary made her writing seem pretentious.
Her use of overly long and complex words made her writing appear pretentious.
Often used to describe speech or writing that is unnecessarily complex or pompous.
Collocations
sesquipedalian vocabularya collection of very long and complex wordssesquipedalian speechspeech characterized by the use of long, complex words
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid Overuse
While sesquipedalian words can be impressive, they can also make communication less effective.
Gold Rule
Clarity Over Complexity
Prioritize clear communication over the use of overly complex words.
Word Origin
From Latin 'sesquipedalis', meaning 'a foot and a half long', referring to the length of words.
Usage Notes
The term is often used humorously or critically to describe overly complex language.
Word Breakdown
sesqui-
one and a half
prefix-pedal
foot
root-ian
pertaining to
suffixEnglish Dictionary