Verbiage vs. Wordage — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Verbiage refers to excessive or unnecessary words in speech or writing, emphasizing quantity and sometimes lack of clarity; wordage focuses specifically on the number of words used, typically in a written context.
Difference Between Verbiage and Wordage
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Key Differences
Verbiage often implies an overabundance of words, particularly those that are superfluous or overly complex, suggesting verbosity. On the other hand, wordage simply refers to the quantity of words used in a text, without necessarily implying excess or redundancy.
When discussing writing or speech, verbiage can have a negative connotation, suggesting that the language used is excessively wordy and possibly convoluted. Whereas wordage is a more neutral term, primarily used to denote the total count of words in a given piece of writing.
Authors may be criticized for verbiage if their writing is deemed unnecessarily wordy or cluttered. In contrast, wordage is often a more objective measure, such as when adhering to the word limits set by editors or guidelines.
In editing or revising text, reducing verbiage is typically a goal to improve clarity and effectiveness. On the other hand, managing wordage might focus more on meeting specific requirements or constraints, like those found in academic or professional writing.
While verbiage can detract from the main points by burying important information in unnecessary details, wordage is merely a factual attribute of the text, which can be high or low depending on the purpose or style of the document.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Excessive use of words, often lacking in necessity or clarity.
Total count of words used in a document.
Connotation
Generally negative, implies redundancy.
Neutral, relates to quantitative measurement.
Usage
Common in critique of spoken and written language.
Common in guidelines or specifications for texts.
Focus
On the quality and excess in language.
On adhering to or measuring against a numerical limit.
Impact on Text
Can make text confusing and less effective.
Does not imply quality, merely quantifies content.
Compare with Definitions
Verbiage
Excessive or meaningless words.
The editor cut the unnecessary verbiage from the article.
Wordage
The total number of words used.
The wordage of the essay exceeded the required limit by two hundred words.
Verbiage
Use of too many words; superfluously verbose.
The contract was filled with legal verbiage that obfuscated its true meaning.
Wordage
Quantity of words in a given piece of writing.
The editor focused on reducing the manuscript's wordage.
Verbiage
Style or manner of using words; overly wordy.
His verbiage made the simple story confusing and long.
Wordage
Word count specification.
The assignment's wordage is strictly set at 1000 words.
Verbiage
Wordiness in oral or written expression.
Her speech was criticized for its dense verbiage.
Wordage
The act of counting words in a document.
Wordage verification is essential before submission.
Verbiage
Flowery, verbose language.
The novel's verbiage distracted from its powerful narrative.
Wordage
A measurement of text content by word count.
His book’s extensive wordage was necessary to cover the topic comprehensively.
Verbiage
Excessively lengthy or technical speech or writing
The basic idea here, despite all the verbiage, is simple
There is plenty of irrelevant verbiage
Wordage
Words considered as a group, or the manner in which words are used
"He stammered indistinctly, searching for the correct wordage" (Tom Robbins).
Verbiage
The way in which something is expressed; wording or diction
We need to look at how the rule should be applied, based on the verbiage
Wordage
The number of words used, as in a novel
Is the author's payment based on total wordage?.
Verbiage
An excess of words for the purpose; wordiness.
Wordage
Words collectively.
Verbiage
The manner in which something is expressed in words
Software verbiage.
Wordage
The excessive use of words; verbiage.
Verbiage
Overabundance of words.
Wordage
The number of words used in a text.
Verbiage
The manner in which something is expressed in words.
Bureaucratic verbiage
Wordage
The choice of words used; phraseology.
Verbiage
The use of many words without necessity, or with little sense; a superabundance of words; verbosity; wordiness.
Verbiage may indicate observation, but not thinking.
This barren verbiage current among men.
Verbiage
Overabundance of words
Verbiage
The manner in which something is expressed in words;
Use concise military verbiage
Common Curiosities
Why is wordage important in writing?
Wordage is crucial for adhering to specific length requirements in various forms of writing, such as academic papers, articles, or official documents.
What does wordage mean?
Wordage denotes the total number of words in a document or piece of writing.
How is wordage calculated?
Wordage is calculated by simply counting all the words present in a text.
How does verbiage affect communication?
Excessive verbiage can cloud the intended message, making communication less effective and harder to understand.
How can one reduce verbiage in writing?
Reducing verbiage involves eliminating unnecessary words, simplifying sentences, and clarifying the message.
Can verbiage be positive?
Typically, verbiage has a negative connotation as it implies unnecessary wordiness; however, in some literary styles, detailed expression can be stylistically appropriate.
Is there a tool to measure wordage?
Yes, many word processors and online tools provide functions to count words, effectively measuring wordage.
Are there industries where wordage is particularly important?
Yes, in publishing, journalism, and academia, adhering to specific word counts is crucial for clarity, conciseness, and guidelines.
What is verbiage?
Verbiage refers to the use of more words than necessary, often resulting in unclear and verbose expression.
Can verbiage be seen in spoken language?
Yes, spoken language can also contain verbiage, particularly in formal speeches or debates where clarity is compromised by over-elaboration.
What role does wordage play in SEO?
In SEO, wordage is important as it can influence the content's thoroughness, keyword density, and ultimately, search engine rankings.
Does verbiage have legal implications?
In legal documents, verbiage can lead to ambiguities and complexities, potentially affecting the interpretation of contractual obligations.
What is a common mistake with wordage in student essays?
A common mistake is either exceeding or not meeting the prescribed wordage, impacting the essay's effectiveness and compliance with guidelines.
What is the difference between verbiage and verbosity?
Both terms relate to the use of excessive words, but verbiage specifically refers to the excessive use in context, while verbosity is a broader term for being wordy.
How do editors handle excessive verbiage or wordage?
Editors trim down excessive verbiage to improve clarity and adjust wordage to meet publishing standards or intended lengths.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
