2 syllables: Ver, bose. Stress on Ver.
VUR-buhs
/ˈvɝbəs/
Verbose is pronounced VUR-buhs (/ˈvɝbəs/). It has two syllables (Ver-bose), with the stress on "Ver". Verbose is an adjective describing speech or writing that uses more words than necessary. It often conveys a sense of excess detail or wordiness, sometimes at the expense of clarity. In usage, it characterizes style rather than content quality, and is frequently contrasted with concise or terse language.
adjectiveVerbose is an adjective describing speech or writing that uses more words than necessary. It often conveys a sense of excess detail or wordiness, sometimes at the expense of clarity. In usage, it characterizes style rather than content quality, and is frequently contrasted with concise or terse language.
"The professor’s verbose lecture left many students confused rather than enlightened."
"She criticized the report for its verbose prose and lack of direct conclusions."
"In reviews, some readers prefer brevity over verbose explanations."
Pronounce as /vɚˈboʊs/ in US, /vəˈbəʊs/ in UK, and /vəˈboʊs/ in AU. The main stress falls on the second syllable: ver-BOSE. Start with a voiced labiodental fricative v, then the schwa in the first syllable, followed by a strong open vowel in the second syllable, ending with a crisp 's'. Mouth posture: lips relaxed, upper teeth lightly touching lower lip for /v/, then jaw drops a bit for /oʊ/ or /əʊ/, and finish with a clear /s/.
Common mistakes: (1) Misplacing stress and saying 'VER-bows' with first syllable emphasis; correct is ver-BOSE with secondary syllable lighter and primary stress on the second syllable. (2) Slurring the second syllable into /boʊ/ or /bəʊ/ leading to 'verbose' sounding like 'ver-bows' without the proper long vowel quality. Correction: separate the syllables clearly: /vɚ/ as the first, then /ˈboʊs/ (US) or /ˈbəʊs/ (UK/AU). (3) Final consonant run-in: avoid letting the /s/ bleed into the next word; practice with a pause after the word to keep the s crisp.
US: /ˈvɚˌboʊs/ with rhotacized schwa in the first syllable and a clear long /oʊ/ in the second; the second syllable carries primary stress. UK/AU: /ˈvəːbəʊs/ or /vəˈbəʊs/ where the first vowel is a non-rhotic schwa or ʌ-like, and the second uses a clear /əʊ/ or /oʊ/ diphthong; UK tends to a shorter first vowel and slightly clipped rhythm. Australian often aligns closely with UK, with a bright /əʊ/ in the second syllable and a less pronounced rhoticity. Note rhoticity differences: US is rhotic, UK/AU are non-rhotic, affecting linking and vowel coloration in connected speech.
Two main challenges: (a) the second-syllable diphthong /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ requires a precise tongue raise and glide; mispronouncing as a short /o/ makes it sound like 'verbos' or 'verbose' with a clipped vowel. (b) The initial unstressed schwa /ɚ/ in American speakers can clash with a lightened first syllable; keep a relaxed yet distinct first syllable to avoid reducing it too much. Finally, the crisp final /s/ can blur with the following word; ensure a slight pause or breath to keep /s/ audible.
Verbose follows a strong-weak pattern with secondary stress on the component that carries the main differentiation: the second syllable bears the primary stress: ver-BOSE. This is a distinctive feature when compared to some similar words where stress falls on the first syllable, such as 'PROlific' or 'VERbal'. To internalize, practice isolating the second syllable with a forceful but clean vowel, then quickly lead into the final /s/.
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US: rhotic, /ɚ/ in the first syllable, /ˈboʊ/ in the second; keep lip corners gently rounded for /oʊ/, ensure clear /s/. UK: non-rhotic, /əˈbəʊs/; the first vowel is reduced, second is /əʊ/ with a more open jaw. AU: similar to UK, but with a slightly broader vowel in /əʊ/ and a more lilted rhythm; less aggressive final s. Phoneme-by-phoneme cues: position lips for /v/ with upper teeth on lower lip, tongue root relaxed; for /ɚ/ US, keep a mid-central relaxed vowel; for /oʊ/ or /əʊ/, glide from mid back to high back while rounding lips; /s/ is hissed, tip of tongue close to alveolar ridge.
Verbose comes from the Latin word verbosus, meaning full of words, which itself derives from verbum meaning word. The dizygotic evolution started in late Latin, with verbosus existing to describe speech containing many words. In English, verbose entered around the 15th century, initially in scholarly or rhetorically charged contexts to denote elaborate, word-heavy prose. Over time, the sense narrowed to describe unnecessary or excessive wording in both speech and writing. The word clusters with other -ose adjectives that convey character traits or stylistic qualities of language, and it is often juxtaposed with concise or laconic to emphasize the contrast between wordiness and brevity. Today, verbose commonly appears in academic critiques, editorial guidance, and professional communication where clarity is valued and excessive detail is deemed distracting or redundant.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Verbose" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Verbose"
-ose sounds
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