jargonheavy

Jargonheavy is an English adjective used to describe writing or speech that relies disproportionately on specialized terminology, acronyms, and field-specific expressions to convey meaning. In a jargonheavy text, much of the content may be difficult for non-experts to understand, even if the ideas are sound. The word combines jargon with heavy, signaling an excess that obscures rather than clarifies.

Jargonheavy is most commonly discussed in professional and academic contexts, particularly in corporate reporting, legal writing, information technology, and research papers. It is distinct from the careful use of precise technical terms; jargonheavy tends to prioritize insider language over accessibility and can reflect in-group status rather than clarity.

Critics argue that jargonheavy communication reduces comprehension, slows decision-making, and alienates audiences such as new employees, interdisciplinary collaborators, or the general public. Proponents may contend that domain-specific terms are necessary for precision, but most writers recognize a point where jargon undermines purpose.

To reduce jargonheavy writing, writers can define unexplained terms, replace jargon with plain language when possible, provide a glossary, use concrete examples, and structure information clearly. Reader testing and editing for audience accessibility are common mitigation strategies.

See also: jargon, plain language, buzzword, technical writing.