elocution

[ el-uh-kyoo-shuhn ]

See synonyms for: elocution elocutionary elocutionist on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public: The actor's elocution is faultless.
the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture.

Origin of elocution

1500–10; <Latin ēlocūtiōn- (stem of ēlocūtiō) a speaking out, equivalent to ē-e-¹ + locūtiōn-locution

Other words from elocution

el·o·cu·tion·ar·y [el-uh-kyoo-shuh-ner-ee], /ˌɛl əˈkyu ʃəˌnɛr i/, adjective
el·o·cu·tion·ist, noun

Words Nearby elocution

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use elocution in a sentence

He throws every fiber of his being into each performance, altering his posture, elocution, temperament, and more.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’ | Marlow Stern | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
And Robert De Niro's Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull wasn't exactly the king of elocution.
Mumbling Wins Oscars! | Zachary Pincus-Roth | March 3, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
And hand-painting it allus seemed to me, is really elocution in oils; for a be-yutiful picture is a silent talker.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
Long lectures may be given upon elocution, but the advice can be condensed into two directions.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
The Speaker's speech was far from any oratory, but was as plain (though good matter) as any thing could be, and void of elocution.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel Pepys

His rhetoric was set forth with an ear-piercing elocution, and a voice that sometimes crashed like cannon.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Volume XXI | Robert Louis Stevenson
The most remarkable for manners, appearance, and elocution are sent out to dress heads; and they come back tired to death.
Unconscious Comedians | Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for elocution

elocution

/ (ˌɛləˈkjuːʃən) /

noun

the art of public speaking, esp of voice production, delivery, and gesture

Origin of elocution

C15: from Latin ēlocūtiō a speaking out, from ēloquī, from loquī to speak

Derived forms of elocution

elocutionary, adjective
elocutionist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse