eloquent

[ el-uh-kwuhnt ]
See synonyms for: eloquenteloquentness on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. movingly expressive: looks eloquent of disgust.

Origin of eloquent

1
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”

synonym study For eloquent

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.

Other words from eloquent

  • el·o·quent·ly, adverb
  • el·o·quent·ness, noun
  • non·el·o·quent, adjective
  • non·el·o·quent·ly, adverb
  • qua·si-el·o·quent, adjective
  • qua·si-el·o·quent·ly, adverb
  • su·per·el·o·quent, adjective
  • su·per·el·o·quent·ly, adverb
  • un·el·o·quent, adjective
  • un·el·o·quent·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with eloquent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use eloquent in a sentence

  • When he discovered the monster who was planning this crime, he pleaded so eloquently that pussys life was saved.

  • Then they learn to discourse eloquently on the benefits of commerce, whilst in reality they are completely indifferent to it.

    Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland
  • A slight deepening of the red on his cheeks told eloquently enough that he did understand that.

  • The eyes often speak more eloquently than words, and Mark's eyes told her the story of his devotion a hundred times a day.

  • The heart speaks eloquently in symbols first, and afterwards in stumbling words.

    Mrs. Falchion, Complete | Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for eloquent

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

Origin of eloquent

1
C14: from Latin ēloquēns, from ēloquī to speak out, from loquī to speak

Derived forms of eloquent

  • eloquently, adverb

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