circumlocution
roundabout speech
Roots
- circum: around
- loqu / locut: speak
Other words with the loqu / locut root
- colloquial: informal in speech or writing
- colloquy: a conversation or formal discussion
- eloquence: powerful, fluent expression
- eloquent: fluent and persuasive in speech
- grandiloquent: pompous in speech
- interlocutor: a person taking part in a conversation
- loquacious: talkative
Circumlocution talks around the point instead of naming it.
His circumlocution made a simple refusal last five minutes.