prolix

/ˈpɹəʊ.lɪks/

Group 18Difficulty 3/3

Definition

(adjective)
Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
GRE

Example in Context

The witness's prolix testimony exhausted the jury's patience and obscured the few genuinely important facts buried within it.

Synonyms

long-windedwordyverbose

Etymology

Flowing forth too much; excessively wordy.

  • pro- (Latin) — forward
  • liquere (Latin) — to flow

Memory Aid

📜Sounds like “Pro-Licks

When a PRO LICKS a scroll, it just keeps unrolling and rolling — so prolix!

Visual Association

🕰️A storyteller at a campfire rambling on for hours while everyone else is asleep, lost in a prolix tale.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “prolix” mean on the GRE?

prolix (adjective) means “Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy”. The witness's prolix testimony exhausted the jury's patience and obscured the few genuinely important facts buried within it.

How to remember “prolix” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “prolix” sounds like “Pro-Licks”. When a PRO LICKS a scroll, it just keeps unrolling and rolling — so prolix!

What are synonyms for “prolix”?

Common synonyms: long-winded, wordy, verbose.