eloquence

[ el-uh-kwuh ns ]

/ ˈɛl ə kwəns /

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.

Nearby words

elongate, elongated, elongation, elope, elopement, eloquence, eloquent, elpenor, elroy, els, elsa

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for eloquence

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
In these debates Lincoln often seemed like one transfigured—carried away by his own eloquence and the force of his conviction.
The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln|Francis Fisher Browne
But poor Markham had all the eloquence of a partially ruined man.
At His Gates, Vol. 1(of 3)|Margaret Oliphant
Nikolai Artemyevitch was admiring his own eloquence as he talked.
On the Eve|Ivan Turgenev
Sir Michael, not possessing the gift of eloquence himself, beckoned to his elder brother to speak.
Tales From Jkai|Mr Jkai
Neither of these four distinct examples of argument and eloquence has ever been surpassed in their separate fields.
Abraham Lincoln|William Eleroy Curtis

British Dictionary definitions for eloquence

eloquence

/ (ˈɛləkwəns) /

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

eloquence

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

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of eloquence

Examples from the Web for eloquence

British Dictionary definitions for eloquence

eloquence

noun

Word Origin and History for eloquence

eloquence