sesquipedalian

[ ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn, -deyl-yuhn ]

adjective

1. given to using long words.
2. (of a word) containing many syllables.

noun

1. a sesquipedalian word.

sesquipedalian

/ sɛsˈkwɪpədəl; ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. tending to use very long words
2. (of words or expressions) long and ponderous; polysyllabic

noun

1. a polysyllabic word

Derived Forms

• ˌsesquipeˈdalianism, noun

Other Words From

• ses·qui·pe·dal·i·ty [ses-kwi-pi-, dal, -i-tee], sesqui·pe·dali·an·ism ses·quip·e·dal·ism [ses-, kwip, -i-dl-iz-, uh, m, ‑kwi-, peed, -l-iz-, uh, m], noun
• unses·qui·pe·dali·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sesquipedalian¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin sesquipedālis “measuring a foot and a half ”( sesqui-, pedal ) + -ian

Word History and Origins

Origin of sesquipedalian¹

C17: from Latin sēsquipedālis of a foot and a half (coined by Horace in Ars Poetica ), from sesqui- + pedālis of the foot, from pēs foot

Example Sentences

You know I am nothing if not "sesquipedalian" and scientific; and a word of five syllables will do for both qualities.

From Project Gutenberg

That colored orator and model letter-writer must look to his sesquipedalian fame.

From Project Gutenberg

The story of any incident, to be realistic, will admit neither of sesquipedalian grandeur nor of grotesque images.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt satisfied it was a friendly one; and was now more anxious than ever of overtaking its sesquipedalian owner.

From Project Gutenberg

The description of the scene, in somewhat sesquipedalian Latin, is quoted by Spitta, i. 801.

From Project Gutenberg