eloquence

[el-uh-kwuh ns]

See more synonyms for eloquence on Thesaurus.com

noun

the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness.
eloquent language or discourse: a flow of eloquence.

Origin of eloquence

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin ēloquentia. See eloquent, -ence

Related formsnon·el·o·quence, nounsu·per·el·o·quence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for eloquence

Contemporary Examples

Wall Street Journal: “Begley has a great many strengths—concision, eloquence, an eagle eye—and few of the usual shortcomings.”
The Best Biographies of 2014 (So Far)
Scott Porch
July 6, 2014
As sometime Davos attendee Bill Clinton once said, “Explanation is eloquence.”
Obama Wants to Fight Income Inequality…With More Free Trade?
Lloyd Green
January 27, 2014
He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and passion, but also his training as an advocate.
Full Text of President Obama's Eulogy for Nelson Mandela
The Daily Beast
December 10, 2013
His eloquence can require a healthy discount to make distinct the difference between words and actions.
Obama’s Stirring U.N. Speech: John Avlon
John Avlon
September 25, 2012
Just days later, Democrats rehabilitated the uses of eloquence.
Obama, Clinton Scored Back to Back Home Runs With Their Speeches
Robert Shrum
September 8, 2012

Historical Examples

The strength and the eloquence were on the side of the opposition, but the votes were for the Government.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
His eloquence was proverbial, both in congress, and at home.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
William Dobein James
And what is the eloquence that gives rise to all these passions?
Biographical Sketches
Nathaniel Hawthorne
He persuaded, by his eloquence compelled, me to return to this castle.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
Her beauty had even greater claim to regard than his eloquence.
Questionable Shapes
William Dean Howells

British Dictionary definitions for eloquence

eloquence

noun

ease in using language to best effect
powerful and effective language
the quality of being persuasive or moving

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

Word Origin and History for eloquence

n.

late 14c., from Old French eloquence (12c.), from Latin eloquentia, from eloquentem (nominative eloquens) "eloquent," present participle of eloqui "speak out," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + loqui "to speak" (see locution). Earlier in same sense was eloquency (mid-14c.).

eloquence

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}eloquence

Examples from the Web for eloquence

Contemporary Examples

Wall Street Journal: “Begley has a great many strengths—concision, eloquence, an eagle eye—and few of the usual shortcomings.”

As sometime Davos attendee Bill Clinton once said, “Explanation is eloquence.”

He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and passion, but also his training as an advocate.

His eloquence can require a healthy discount to make distinct the difference between words and actions.

Just days later, Democrats rehabilitated the uses of eloquence.

Historical Examples

The strength and the eloquence were on the side of the opposition, but the votes were for the Government.

His eloquence was proverbial, both in congress, and at home.

And what is the eloquence that gives rise to all these passions?

He persuaded, by his eloquence compelled, me to return to this castle.

Her beauty had even greater claim to regard than his eloquence.

eloquence

Word Origin and History for eloquence

n.

Origin of eloquence