Wiktionary

polysyllabic

English edit

Etymology edit

poly- +‎ syllabic

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

polysyllabic (not comparable)

  1. (of a word) Having more than one syllable; having multiple or many syllables.
    "Antidisestablishmentarianism" definitely qualifies as a polysyllabic word.
    ‘Polysyllabic’ is a polysyllabic word.
  2. (of spoken or written language) Characterized by or consisting of words having numerous syllables.
    I have a particularly off-putting predilection for the utilization of ponderously polysyllabic linguistic constructions.

Usage notes edit

Authoritative sources disagree concerning the precise number of syllables needed for a word to count as polysyllabic. The references cited below variously stipulate anywhere from more than one syllable to four or more. In general usage, a polysyllabic word is a word which is regarded as lengthy and polysyllabic writing or speech is often regarded as elaborate, overly lengthy, or excessively complex.

Synonyms edit

Antonyms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Noun edit

polysyllabic (plural polysyllabics)

  1. A word having more than one syllable

References edit

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