verbiage

[/ˈvɜːrbiɪdʒ/]
nounpl: verbiages
verborreia, prolixidade, palavreado
1. Speech or writing that uses too many words; excessive or unnecessary language; wordiness
The contract was filled with legal verbiage that most people couldn't understand.
O contrato estava cheio de verborreia legal que a maioria das pessoas não conseguia entender.
2. Language or wording, particularly when considered with respect to its form or style
The verbiage used in the advertisement was intentionally vague.
O palavreado usado no anúncio foi intencionalmente vago.
3. Mere words; empty or meaningless language
The politician's speech was just verbiage with no real substance.
O discurso do político era apenas verborreia sem substância real.
In American business and legal contexts, 'verbiage' is frequently used to criticize overly complex or unnecessarily lengthy language—particularly in contracts, policies, and political speeches. In Brazil, 'verborreia' carries a similarly critical connotation and is often used in media and academic discussions to describe politicians or poorly written texts. The word reflects a cultural value placed on clear, direct communication.
NYC Slang
fluff, hot air, run-of-the-mouth
Synonyms / Sinônimos
wordinessverbosityprolixityloquaciousnesscircumlocutionperiphrasisredundancy
Antonyms / Antônimos
concisenessbrevityconcisionsuccinctnessterseness

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
verborreia, prolixidade, palavreado
Common usage in formal and informal contexts to describe excessive or unnecessary language
Rio de Janeiro
blá-blá-blá, linguajar
More colloquial usage; blá-blá-blá is informal slang for meaningless talk
São Paulo
verborreia, excesso de palavras
Formal preference, common in business and academic contexts
Portugal
verbosidade, palavreado
Somewhat less commonly used; Portuguese speakers may prefer 'palavras em excesso' or 'excessiva redundância'

Related Words

verbosewordyloquaciousgarrulouscircumlocutoryredundantrhetoric

Related Idioms & Phrases

cut through the verbiage
without all the verbiage
verbiage over substance
empty verbiage
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