eloquence
Americannoun
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the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness.
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eloquent language or discourse.
a flow of eloquence.
noun
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ease in using language to best effect
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powerful and effective language
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the quality of being persuasive or moving
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of eloquence
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ēloquentia, from ēloquent-, stem of ēloquēns “speaking out” ( see eloquent) + -ia -y 3; cf. -ence
Explanation
Eloquence is powerful, moving, magnificent use of language. Simply put, if you have eloquence, then you're one smooth talker. The noun eloquence has roots in the Latin word eloqui, meaning to "speak out." But we're not talking about just any regular speech here. Eloquence is marked by fluency, persuasiveness, and the power to stir emotions. The eloquence of your dog trainer’s empowering speech about the need for complementary manicures and pedicures for pets might bring you to tears, for example.
Vocabulary lists containing eloquence
Fences
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"Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad," Vocabulary from the biography
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"Another Place, Another Time," Vocabulary from the short story
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But fortunately, the invaluable Eloquence company from Australia recently issued most of her recordings in a 14-disc “Aafje Heynis Edition,” and no set has brought me such pleasure in a long time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
After their liberation, they let loose for Decca; the Eloquence set superbly reproduces the orchestra’s distinctive postwar timbre, as well as Munch’s intensity of expression.
From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2023
Jamieson is the author of many books, including "Packaging the Presidency," "Echo Chamber: Rush Limbaugh and the Conservative Media Establishment," "Eloquence in an Electronic Age," "Presidents Creating the Presidency" and "The Obama Victory."
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2018
By Listen to Lexicon Valley Episode No. 12: The Eloquence of Plain English Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address may be the most eloquent two minutes in the history of American political speechifying.
From Slate • Jun. 4, 2012
“We aren’t big on speeches here. Eloquence is for Erudite,” he says.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
