long-winded
UK: /ˌlɒŋˈwɪndɪd/ | US: /ˌlɔːŋˈwɪndɪd/
adj. (of speech or writing) tediously lengthy or verbose
adj. (of a person) inclined to speak at excessive length
The term "long-winded" originated in the 16th century, combining "long" (Old English lang, meaning extended) and "wind" (Old English wind, referring to breath or air). It originally described someone who could sustain speech or physical exertion for a long time without losing breath, akin to "long-breathed." Over time, it evolved to criticize unnecessarily lengthy speech or writing, emphasizing the metaphorical exhaustion of the listener's patience.
The professor's long-winded lecture left the students struggling to stay awake.
Her long-winded emails often bury the main point in unnecessary details.
Politicians are often accused of being long-winded during debates.
Avoid long-winded explanations when a simple answer will suffice.
The novel's long-winded descriptions made it difficult to follow the plot.