For example, I enjoy creative writing and using very expressive, detailed language. I might describe that style as "florid".
a : very flowery in style : ornate
florid prose
florid declamations
also : having a florid style
a florid writer
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/florid
How...
Full OED definition 1.a. 1656–67 Blooming with flowers; abounding in or covered with flowers; flowery. Obsolete. Definition 2 (figurative) Profusely adorned as with flowers; elaborately or luxuriantly ornate. Often in somewhat disparaging sense: Excessively ornate. ... Definition 6 1656– Flourishing, lively, vigorous; in the bloom of health. Now rare.
@ermanen: So far as I know, everyone in the Anglosphere has access to the AI linked to Google searches. When I search for is florid a compliment, before the actual results the AI says No, "florid" is generally not considered a compliment when describing someone's writing or speech, as it means excessively ornate or flowery, implying that the language is overly elaborate and potentially unnecessary, making it more of a criticism than praise. Being AI-generated, it'll be slightly different each time, but the question will always be meaningfully answered. And ELU isn't a dictionary!
Cambridge says "with too much decoration or detail", and Collins has "excessively ornate" as one if its meanings. I'd call those negative connotations. Though that's only a matter of opinion, IMO.
The OED definition quoted above says 'often in somewhat disparaging sense'. Somebody who sees that in a dictionary definition may reasonably seek an elaboration of the often and somewhat. Providing such an elaboration is well within the domain of this site.
Clearly, modern consensus is negative. A historical survey will show that wasn't always the case; has a bit to do with how "in fashion" ornamentation is to begin with. No surprise that in the baroque, "highly ornamented" was generally aesthetically validated. Then Classical came in and stripped things down, Romantic built them back up, and Modernists stripped it out again. "Florid" = "flowers" = "ornament" = aesthetics of ornamentation.
@AndyBonner Thus, it’s possible to write a detailed answer covering the word's history and evolution, possibly including both past and modern usage examples. I (and perhaps others) would appreciate it if you could post an answer.
(Hm; maybe it argues against me that I went looking for approving mentions of "flowery" writing in Shakespeare and found only Holofernes, whose aesthetics are surely being mocked.) @ermanen IMO it might be out of scope for the present question, unless the OP wants to edit to request it; questions about usage are generally assumed to focus on modern practice.
Discussion on question by rosstex: Is…
Discussion on question by rosstex: Is…