voluble

[vol-yuh-buhl]

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adjective

characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib; talkative: a voluble spokesman for the cause.

Origin of voluble

1565–75; < Latin volūbilis which turns easily, flowing, equivalent to volū-, base of volvere to turn + -bilis -ble

Related formsvol·u·bil·i·ty, vol·u·ble·ness, nounvol·u·bly, adverbnon·vol·u·bil·i·ty, nounnon·vol·u·ble, adjectivenon·vol·u·ble·ness, nounnon·vol·u·bly, adverbun·vol·u·ble, adjectiveun·vol·u·ble·ness, nounun·vol·u·bly, adverb

Synonyms for voluble

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articulate, garrulous, loquacious. See fluent.

Antonyms for voluble

taciturn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for volubility

willingness, keenness, preparation, preparedness, fitness, eloquence, vigor, poise, expressiveness, wit, passion, fervor, fluency, dexterity, adroitness, facility, sleight, dispatch, alacrity, promptness

Examples from the Web for volubility

Historical Examples of volubility

That she knows better than to value herself upon my volubility?
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
His volubility had left him at last, and he sank down wearily on my sofa.
The Moon and Sixpence
W. Somerset Maugham
Charlie, piqued at her inattentiveness, essayed a volubility foreign to his words.
Erik Dorn
Ben Hecht
Tessibel's struggling to her feet broke off the man's volubility.
The Secret of the Storm Country
Grace Miller White
Chaffering, quarrelling, joking, there seems to be no end to their volubility.
Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No 3, September 1863
Various

British Dictionary definitions for volubility

voluble

adjective

talking easily, readily, and at length; fluent
archaic easily turning or rotating, as on an axis
rare (of a plant) twining or twisting

Derived Formsvolubility or volubleness, nounvolubly, adverb

Word Origin for voluble

C16: from Latin volūbilis turning readily, fluent, from volvere to turn

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 volubility

voluble

adj.

1570s, "liable to constant change," from French voluble, from Latin volubilis "that turns around, rolling, flowing, fluent" (of speech), from volvere "to turn around, roll" (see volvox). Meaning "fluent, talkative" first recorded 1580s. Related: Volubly.