mellifluous

American  

[muh-lif-loo-uhs] / məˈlɪf lu əs /

adjective

1. sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding: mellifluous tones.

   a mellifluous voice;

   mellifluous tones.

   Synonyms:

   harmonious, dulcet, musical, melodious

2. flowing with honey; sweetened with or as if with honey.

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mellifluous British  

/ mɪˈlɪflʊəs /

adjective

1. (of sounds or utterances) smooth or honeyed; sweet

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Other Word Forms

• mellifluously adverb
• mellifluousness noun
• unmellifluous adjective
• unmellifluously adverb

Etymology

Origin of mellifluous

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin mellifluus, equivalent to Latin melli- (stem of mel ) “honey” + -flu(ere) “to flow” + -us adjective suffix ( -ous )

Example Sentences

For centuries, French has been the measured and mellifluous language of international diplomacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Blessed with a sweet, mellifluous voice, he began singing at his local church at the age of six.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

The chatter mostly unfolds, in mellifluous French, over white tablecloths and stainless steel countertops, with no PowerPoints or government office furniture in sight.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2023

“The sound now is really spectacular — in a more mellifluous, mellow, lyrical way.”

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2023

“With more water you can grow fruit like crazy from your fruit trees,” the thugs’ mellifluous voices crooned.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols