verbiage
9 synonyms and 2 antonyms for verbiage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Excessive or unnecessary words, especially language that is wordy and says little.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun disapproving
Excessive or unnecessary words, especially language that is wordy and says little.
“Strip out the verbiage and the report says almost nothing.”
Opposites
How to Use Verbiage
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The critical sense is standard everywhere; the neutral 'wording' sense is common in US offices and is disliked by traditionalists.
Etymology
From French verbiage, from Old French verbier 'to chatter', ultimately related to Latin verbum 'word'.
Full origin of verbiage →Frequently Asked Questions
Does verbiage mean 'wording' or 'too many words'?
Traditionally it means too many words, and using it that way is always safe. In American business English it has also come to mean simply the wording of something, with no criticism implied. Careful writers still avoid the neutral sense because many readers hear the insult.
What is the difference between verbiage and verbosity?
Verbosity is the quality of using too many words; verbiage is the excess wording itself. You criticise a writer's verbosity, and you delete the verbiage from their draft.
Is verbiage a negative word?
In its original and most widely understood sense, yes. If you tell a colleague their email is 'full of verbiage', they will take it as criticism, so use 'wording' when you mean something neutral.