eloquent

[el-uh-kwuhnt]

adjective

1. having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech.

   an eloquent orator.

2. characterized by forceful and appropriate expression.

   an eloquent speech.

3. movingly expressive.

   looks eloquent of disgust.

eloquent

/ ˈɛləkwənt /

adjective

1. (of speech, writing, etc) characterized by fluency and persuasiveness

2. visibly or vividly expressive, as of an emotion

   an eloquent yawn

Other Word Forms

• eloquently adverb
• eloquentness noun
• noneloquent adjective
• noneloquently adverb
• quasi-eloquent adjective
• quasi-eloquently adverb
• supereloquent adjective
• supereloquently adverb
• uneloquent adjective
• uneloquently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eloquent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ēloquent-, stem of ēloquēns “speaking out,” present participle of ēloquī “to speak out,” from ē- e- ¹ + loquī “to speak”

Word History and Origins

Origin of eloquent¹

C14: from Latin ēloquēns, from ēloquī to speak out, from loquī to speak

Synonym Study

Eloquent, fluent, articulate, expressive are adjectives that characterize speech or speakers notable for their effectiveness. Eloquent suggests clarity and power: an eloquent plea for disarmament. Fluent, with a root sense of flowing, refers to easy, smooth, facile speech: fluent in three languages. Articulate characterizes a clear and effective speaker or speech: an articulate spokesman for tax reform. Expressive focuses on rendering intelligible or meaningful the ideas or feelings of a speaker or writer and implies an especially effective, vivid use of language: a deeply moving, powerfully expressive evocation of a city childhood. See also fluent.

Example Sentences

And as Herndon pointed out, “in time Lincoln’s style changed: he became more eloquent but with less gaudy ornamentation. He grew in oratorical power, dropping gradually the alliteration and rosy metaphor of youth.”

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An eloquent public speaker, Weiss has cemented a spot among wealthy executives and prominent personalities.

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At rallies, Gbagbo often invoked her evangelist Christian faith, firing off spirited, eloquent speeches in support of her husband.

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When an eloquent person suddenly can’t form sentences, it’s typically seen as a medical problem.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We used to joke about how you weren't a "true Parsi" if you didn't know about Parsiana or wax eloquent about it."

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Related Words

• affecting 
• ardent 
• articulate 
• expressive 
• fervent 
• forceful 
• impassioned 
• moving 
• outspoken 
• passionate 
• persuasive 
• poignant 
• powerful 
• revealing 
• stirring 
• touching 
• vivid 
• vocal