Meaning & use
sesquipedalian
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Using very long words, often when simpler ones would do.
Grammar: Describes a person or their style of speaking or writing; can be used before a noun or after a linking verb.
Patterns
- a sesquipedalian style
- be sesquipedalian
His sesquipedalian prose makes the report hard to read.
She has a sesquipedalian way of speaking that impresses some and irritates others.
The professor's sesquipedalian lectures often send students to the dictionary.
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Of a word: very long and usually hard to understand.
Grammar: Used mainly before a noun to describe the word itself, not the person using it.
Patterns
- a sesquipedalian word
- sesquipedalian vocabulary
“Antidisestablishmentarianism” is a famously sesquipedalian word.
The editor replaced the sesquipedalian terms with everyday language.
Word forms
| comparative | more sesquipedalian |
|---|---|
| superlative | most sesquipedalian |
Common combinations
- sesquipedalian prose
- The novel's sesquipedalian prose put off many readers.
- sesquipedalian word
- He likes to sprinkle sesquipedalian words into casual conversation.
- sesquipedalian style
- Her sesquipedalian style is not suited to a blog for beginners.
- a bit sesquipedalian
- The speech was a bit sesquipedalian for a school assembly.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pompous
- Focuses on a self-important tone rather than just long words; a sesquipedalian speaker may not sound pompous.
- grandiloquent
- Suggests overly fancy, showy language; sesquipedalian specifically points to long words, not necessarily a boastful manner.
- verbose
- Means using too many words in general; sesquipedalian is about the length of individual words.
Opposites
Word family
- sesquipedalianism noun
- The practice or habit of using very long words.
Commonly confused: sesquipedalian or sesquicentennial?
sesquipedalian vs sesquicentennial
This means a 150th anniversary, not long words; both start with sesqui- but are otherwise unrelated.
Practice
Which sentence uses “sesquipedalian” correctly?
Choose one answer.
“Sesquipedalian” describes long words or a style full of them, so it fits “vocabulary.” The other options use it as if it meant quick, fast, or tasty, which are unrelated meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sesquipedalian”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.