Definition

Describing something that is overly detailed or excessively refined, often to the point of being too complicated or intricate.

Example

The wiredrawn argument made it difficult for the audience to follow the speaker's main point.

Conversation

I found that article you sent me to be a bit wiredrawn in its arguments.

Really? I thought it was quite detailed and interesting.

Yeah, but some points felt overly subtle and hard to follow.

I get that; sometimes less is more when making a point.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Wiredrawn → It is formed from "wire" (from Old English *wir*, meaning a thin, flexible strand of metal) and "drawn" (from Old English *dragan*, meaning to pull or drag). The word "wiredrawn" refers to something that has been pulled or stretched out into a thin wire form.

Memory Tip

Think of a thin "wire" being "pulled" or "drawn" out — that's why wiredrawn describes something that has been stretched into a wire-like form.

Visually Confused Words