What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Circumlocution vs Expatiate - What's the difference?

circumlocution | expatiate |

As a noun circumlocution

is a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.

As a verb expatiate is

to range at large, or without restraint.

circumlocution

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
  • A roundabout expression. See also euphemism
  • Synonyms

    * beat around the bush * periphrasis * ambages

    Derived terms

    * circumlocutionary * circumlocutional

    expatiate

    English

    Verb

    (expatiat)
  • To range at large, or without restraint.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Bids his free soul expatiate in the skies.
  • To write or speak at length; to be copious in argument or discussion, to descant.
  • *1851 ,
  • Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.
  • * Addison
  • He expatiated on the inconveniences of trade.
  • * 2007 , Clive James, Cultural Amnesia (Picador 2007, p. 847)
  • *:“It can't fly,” he expatiated . “It can move forward only by hopping.”
  • (obsolete) To expand; to spread; to extend; to diffuse; to broaden.