fluent
Americanadjective
adjective
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able to speak or write a specified foreign language with facility
-
spoken or written with facility
his French is fluent
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easy and graceful in motion or shape
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flowing or able to flow freely
Synonym Usage
Fluent, glib, voluble may refer to a flow of words. Fluent suggests the easy and ready flow of an accomplished speaker and is usually a term of commendation: a fluent and interesting speech. Glib implies an excessive fluency divorced from sincerity or profundity; it often suggests talking smoothly and hurriedly to cover up or deceive, not giving the hearer a chance to stop and think; it may also imply a plausible, prepared, and well-rehearsed lie: He had a glib answer for everything. Voluble implies the overcopious and often rapid flow of words characteristic of a person who loves to talk: She overwhelmed him with her voluble answer. See also eloquent.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fluent
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin fluent- (stem of fluēns ) “flowing,” present participle of fluere; see -ent
Explanation
To be fluent in something — like a language or an instrument — is to be able to use it smoothly and effortlessly. It takes many years and lots of practice to become fluent in a second language. But when you're finally fluent, you can understand it, speak it, and write easily in it. One French class won't make you fluent — gaining fluency takes years. You can also be fluent in other things that you've practiced and mastered, like cello or computer programming. If you're doing something in a way that makes it look easy, you're fluent.
Vocabulary lists containing fluent
Tongues Untied: The Lingo of Linguistics
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"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?" Vocabulary from the short story
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A fluent English speaker, he formalised the traditional premier's press conference at the end of the yearly "Two Sessions" political meet.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
“My grandma speaks fluent Spanish, and she talks to me, my brothers, and my sister in Spanish, and we answer in English,” says Uttapa on Zoom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
As more employers ask that job applicants be AI fluent — and more workers wonder whether AI is coming for their job — the great AI certification race is on.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
He had worked as a construction site supervisor for 26 years after moving to Japan from Pakistan and speaks fluent Japanese.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
However, only men fluent in both English and Navajo were wanted.
From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
