sesquipedalian

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a very long word (a foot and a half long)
  2. adjective given to the overuse of long words
  3. adjective (of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables

Etymology

From sesquipedal + -ian (adjective- and noun-forming suffix), root from Latin sēsquipedālis (literally “a foot and a half long”), from Latin sēsqui (“one and a half times”) + Latin pedālis (“measuring a foot, foot (relational)”) (an adjective from pēs (“foot”)).

In classic literature

Synonyms

sesquipedalia

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