Have you ever written something and wondered, “Should I use verbage or verbiage?” 🤔
I’ve been there too, and it can feel confusing because both words sound similar but aren’t interchangeable.
In this guide, I’ll help you understand the difference between verbage or verbiage, explain when each is correct, and give you simple examples you can actually use.
By the end, you’ll never hesitate again, and your writing will sound clear, confident, and completely mistake-free! ✨
✅ Verbage or Verbiage – Quick Answer
Let’s not drag this out. The correct word is “verbiage.” ✨
Verbiage means the use of too many words or wordy language that reduces clarity.
Examples:
- ❌ This contract has too much verbage.
- ✅ This contract has too much verbiage.
👉 “Verbage” is simply a misspelling of “verbiage.”
It pops up in speech or informal writing, but it’s not recognized in formal English.
So next time your spell-check underlines “verbage,” it’s doing you a favor. 😉
📖 The Origin of Verbiage
Every word has a story — and verbiage comes straight from French roots. 🇫🇷
It derives from the French word verbiage, meaning wordiness or an excess of words. The French term itself comes from verbe, meaning word or verb.
When the word entered English in the 1700s, it kept its spelling and meaning. It referred to language that’s too wordy or unnecessary.
Over time, people misheard it as “verbage,” possibly thinking it was related to “verb.” But that’s where the confusion began — “verbage” never became a legitimate word.
📜 Quick Timeline:
- 1700s: “Verbiage” enters English from French.
- 1800s: Writers use “verbiage” in literature to describe overcomplicated writing.
- 1900s–Now: “Verbage” spreads informally online but remains incorrect.
In short, verbiage is the only word with real linguistic roots and dictionary approval. 🌍
🇬🇧🇺🇸 British English vs American English Spelling
Here’s a rare moment of unity — both British and American English agree on one spelling: verbiage. 🙌
Unlike other pairs such as color/colour, theater/theatre, or realize/realise, there’s no variation here.
Whether you’re writing in New York, London, Toronto, or Sydney — it’s always verbiage.
Comparison Table
| 🌍 Region | ✅ Correct | ❌ Mistake | 📝 Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Verbiage | Verbage | The lawyer’s verbiage was too technical. |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Verbiage | Verbage | His essay had excessive verbiage. |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Verbiage | Verbage | Editors reduce verbiage to keep text clear. |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Verbiage | Verbage | Marketing emails should avoid heavy verbiage. |
| 🌐 Global | Verbiage | Verbage | Verbiage is universally correct. |
✅ Takeaway: “Verbiage” is accepted everywhere, while “verbage” will always look like a typo.
🧭 Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use verbiage — every single time. 💯
If your audience is in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, “verbiage” is the right choice. There’s no exception in professional, academic, or formal contexts.
Writing “verbage” might make your readers doubt your attention to detail — especially in business or academic writing.
✅ When to use “verbiage”:
- Business emails
- Articles or blogs
- Legal documents
- School or university work
❌ Avoid “verbage”:
- In resumes or cover letters
- Professional communication
- Anywhere spelling accuracy matters
🗣 You may hear people say “verbage,” especially in speech, but that doesn’t make it correct. Think of it like “supposably” instead of “supposedly.” You hear it — but you shouldn’t write it.
⚠️ Common Mistakes with Verbiage
Let’s look at the most common mix-ups 👇
| ❌ Mistake | ⚠ Why It’s Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|---|
| “Too much verbage in your essay.” | “Verbage” isn’t a real English word. | “Too much verbiage in your essay.” |
| “This post has great verbiage.” | “Verbiage” usually means too many words, not good writing. | “This post has great phrasing.” |
| “The report’s verbiage confuses readers.” | Correct usage — means it’s too wordy. | ✅ Correct! |
| “She changed the verbage of the contract.” | “Verbage” is still a misspelling. | “She changed the verbiage of the contract.” |
💡 Pro Tip:
If you’re talking about positive or neutral word choice, use “wording” or “phrasing.”
If you’re describing unnecessary or excessive words, use “verbiage.”
💬 Verbiage in Everyday Examples
Here’s how verbiage appears in real life 👇
📧 In Emails:
“Your proposal is strong, but the verbiage makes it longer than necessary.”
🗞 In News:
“Politicians are often criticized for their endless verbiage during debates.”
💻 On Social Media:
“Cut the marketing verbiage — just say what it does!”
🎓 In Formal Writing:
“Academic papers should minimize verbiage to improve clarity.”
💼 In Business:
“Reduce the verbiage in the presentation for a sharper message.”
So, if you’re ever told to “cut the verbiage,” it simply means — say it shorter and simpler! ✂️
📊 Verbiage – Google Trends & Usage Data
Let’s look at the data 📈
According to Google Trends, the word “verbiage” is searched far more often and widely recognized than “verbage.”
“Verbiage” dominates across North America, Europe, and Asia, while “verbage” appears mainly in casual forums or comments.
| Keyword | 📈 Popularity | 💬 Usage Context | ✅ Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbiage | 🔹 100% | Academic, Business, News | Correct |
| Verbage | 🔸 5–10% | Informal, Social Media | Incorrect |
Top Countries Searching “Verbiage”:
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇮🇳 India
Most people search for it to check spelling or meaning, proving that this confusion is global! 🌍
FAQs about “Verbage or Verbiage”
Q1. Is “verbage” ever correct?
👉 No. “Verbage” is a misspelling of “verbiage.”
Q2. What does “verbiage” mean in simple terms?
👉 It means too many words or wordy writing.
Q3. Can “verbiage” mean “wording”?
👉 Yes, but it often has a negative tone implying unnecessary words.
Q4. How do you pronounce “verbiage”?
👉 It’s /ˈvɜːr.bi.ɪdʒ/ — sounds like VUR-bee-ij.
Q5. Why do people say “verbage”?
👉 It’s usually a mishearing or influenced by the word “verb.”
Q6. How to avoid too much verbiage in writing?
👉 Keep sentences short, use active voice, and delete filler words.
Q7. What are some synonyms for “verbiage”?
👉 Try “wordiness,” “redundancy,” or “long-windedness.”
Q8. Is “verbiage” formal or informal?
👉 It’s neutral — fine for both formal and informal writing depending on tone.
Q9. Can I use “verbiage” in resumes?
👉 Only if you’re describing text. Avoid saying “great verbiage” — say “strong communication skills” instead.
💡 Conclusion
So, between verbage and verbiage, there’s only one correct spelling — verbiage. ✅
It’s the proper, dictionary-approved word meaning wordy or excessive language. The version “verbage” might sound similar, but it’s not accepted in professional or academic contexts.
If you want to look polished and accurate, always choose verbiage. Remember:
- “Verbiage” = Correct and professional.
- “Verbage” = Common error.
Keep your writing sharp, clean, and free of… unnecessary verbiage! ✍️😉
Hi, I’m Jason Carter, the author behind GrammarNestly.com.
I’m a grammar expert with a passion for helping readers understand the English language in a simple and practical way.
I love breaking down confusing grammar rules and turning them into easy, everyday lessons that anyone can follow.
