illocutionary

[il-uh-kyoo-shuh-ner-ee]

adjective

Philosophy, Linguistics.

1. pertaining to a linguistic act performed by a speaker in producing an utterance, as suggesting, warning, promising, or requesting.

Other Word Forms

• illocution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illocutionary¹

First recorded in 1950–55; il- ¹ + locution + -ary

Example Sentences

It seems to be about the listener’s ability to shut the window, but the illocutionary act tells the listener to shut the window.

From Economist

The descriptive content isn’t racist, but the illocutionary force – the meaning of saying it – may well be.

From The Guardian

But my intention – the “illocutionary force”, in Austin’s jargon – is to try to make you feel bad, or get you to tidy up.

From The Guardian