voluble

[vol-yuh-buhl]

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

articulate, garrulous, loquacious. See fluent.

Antonyms for voluble

taciturn.

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

Examples from the Web for volubly

Historical Examples of volubly

She thanked them volubly in Flemish, which they did not understand.
The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields
Lieut. Howard Payson
Margaret could not tell, but it was something to which the girl was volubly replying.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus
A reply was volubly given in Italian, of which Runkle understood not a word.
Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service
H. Irving Hancock
Life takes a new interest when we can put it so volubly into words.
Modern Women and What is Said of Them
Anonymous
No,” cried the black, volubly; “hunt wallaby—hunt ole man kangaroo.
The Dingo Boys
G. Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for volubly

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 volubly

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.