eloquent

[el-uh-kwuh nt]

adjective

having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech: an eloquent orator.

characterized by forceful and appropriate expression: an eloquent speech.

movingly expressive: looks eloquent of disgust.

Origin of eloquent

1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin ēloquent- (stem of ēloquēns, present participle of ēloquī) speaking out, eloquent, equivalent to ē- e-¹ + loqu- speak + -ent- -ent

Related formsel·o·quent·ly, adverbel·o·quent·ness, nounnon·el·o·quent, adjectivenon·el·o·quent·ly, adverbqua·si-el·o·quent, adjectivequa·si-el·o·quent·ly, adverbsu·per·el·o·quent, adjectivesu·per·el·o·quent·ly, adverbun·el·o·quent, adjectiveun·el·o·quent·ly, adverb

Can be confusedelegant eloquent

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for eloquently

Contemporary Examples of eloquently

As my fellow students have eloquently demonstrated, we need feminism.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating
Ellie Schaack
January 1, 2015
As McCain so eloquently stated Monday, we must not “risk our national honor to prevail in this or any war.”
Why the Muslim World Isn’t Flipping Out Over the CIA Torture Report
Dean Obeidallah
December 12, 2014
As a similar Tumblr so eloquently states: “Your Balls Are Not That Big.”
Online Shaming Gives Creeps the Spotlight They Deserve
Samantha Allen
September 23, 2014
The explainer in chief can easily and eloquently point to all that.
Send In Bill Clinton to Save the Democratic Midterm Campaign
Robert Shrum
April 14, 2014
No one does either as brilliantly or eloquently as Sandra Bullock.
Best Oscar Speeches of All Time: Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep & More
Kevin Fallon
March 2, 2014

Historical Examples of eloquently

Quickly, but eloquently, Blood expressed his thanks, where he knew that no thanks were due.
Captain Blood
Rafael Sabatini
Eloquently he describes his struggle with the changing language.
Cooking and Dining in Imperial Rome
Apicius
She dwelt earnestly and, indeed, eloquently on the beauty of the scenery.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2)
Charles James Lever
The Fynes looked at each other eloquently, doubtfully: What do you think of this?
Chance
Joseph Conrad
They whispered to him eloquently; I don't think they quite expected the result.
A Set of Six
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for eloquently

eloquent

adjective

(of speech, writing, etc) characterized by fluency and persuasiveness

visibly or vividly expressive, as of an emotionan eloquent yawn

Derived Formseloquently, adverb

Word Origin for eloquent

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

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 eloquently

eloquent

adj.

late 14c., from Old French eloquent, from Latin eloquentem (nominative eloquens), present participle of eloqui "to speak out" (see eloquence). Related: Eloquently.