Circumlocution is using many words to say something that could be said more simply and directly. When someone talks in circles instead of getting to the point, they're using circumlocution. If your friend asks whether you finished your homework and you respond with “Well, I started thinking about it, and I had my materials out, and I was planning to work on it, but then some things came up,” instead of just saying “No,” that's circumlocution.

Politicians sometimes use circumlocution when they want to avoid giving a straight answer to a difficult question. A student might use circumlocution when they don't really know the answer but hope that saying enough words will make it sound like they do.

Circumlocution isn't always bad. Sometimes people use it to be polite. Instead of bluntly saying “Your drawing isn't very good,” you might use circumlocution: “I can see you're still developing your technique.” But most of the time, clear and direct communication works better. When you find yourself using ten words where three would do, you're probably engaging in circumlocution.