turgid

adjective

tur·​gid ˈtər-jəd 

1

: excessively embellished in style or language : bombastic, pompous

turgid prose

2

: being in a state of distension : swollen, tumid

turgid limbs

especially : exhibiting turgor

turgidity

ˌtər-ˈji-də-tē 

noun

turgidly

ˈtər-jəd-lē 

adverb

turgidness noun

Synonyms

• bloated
• blown
• distended
• overinflated
• puffed
• swollen
• tumescent
• tumid
• varicose
• varicosed

Examples of turgid in a Sentence

turgid leeches having had their fill of blood

Recent Examples on the Web

However, there have been instances, such as the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in November, when United looked turgid and struggled to create. —Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025

Counter-attacking comes less naturally to him, and his tendency to drop behind the ball rather than run beyond it to stretch the defence was shown in this move midway through a turgid first half at the weekend. —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

This led to Rogers’ booking and the third loose pass that encapsulated Villa’s turgid evening. —Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Jon Ingold finds most video game writing empty at best, turgid at worst. —Samuel Horti, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin turgidus, from turgēre to be swollen

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

turgid

adjective

tur·​gid ˈtər-jəd 

1

: being in a swollen state

2

: exhibiting turgor

a turgid plant cell

Medical Definition

turgid

adjective

tur·​gid ˈtər-jəd 

: being in a normal or abnormal state of distension : swollen, tumid

turgid limbs

turgid living cells