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

When the autumnal Second Quintet began, the two eloquent Philharmonic violas were ready to stealthily underscore a work of profound lyric restraint.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yet through a remarkable process of musical transformation, Lang has become a purifier, his music increasingly having turned cool, clean, eloquent, elemental.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s speech to that effect was an eloquent defense of American values.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The book ends in an eloquent defense of beavers as wetland-habitat creators, worth infinitely more alive and working than trapped and persecuted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I found one eloquent knitted baby sock—pale green in colour—when looking for wool.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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