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

Forest fans were willing to forgive some rather turgid soccer and dreadful results as long as there was a chance Cooper could keep them up. —Steve Price, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

But England will inevitably, after a turgid, monotonous performance comprising three shots on target to Switzerland’s nine, creep through, either 1-0 or 2-1, and prolong the nation’s agony for at least four more days. —Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 5 July 2024

Yet the spark of inspiration that made Apocalypse Now so vibrant and unpredictable is snuffed by a turgid obsession with military ritual. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024

He was quickly flown back to Moscow, a trial date was no less quickly set — and then the turgid legal process of one exasperating delay after another took command of events. —Howard Blum, Washington Post, 26 June 2024

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