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Synonyms

well-spoken

American  
[wel-spoh-kuhn] / ˈwɛlˈspoʊ kən /

adjective

  1. speaking well, fittingly, or pleasingly.

    The new chairwoman was very well-spoken.

  2. polite in speech.

    a well-spoken gentleman.

  3. spoken in an apt, fitting, or pleasing manner.

    a few well-spoken words on civic pride.


well-spoken British  

adjective

  1. having a clear, articulate, and socially acceptable accent and way of speaking

  2. spoken satisfactorily or pleasingly

"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

Etymology

Origin of well-spoken

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

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.

See Examples For:

On the court, the well-spoken, thoughtful Klugo sheds any semblance of the person who takes time to answer questions and lists off numbers about hearing loss.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 11, 2026

Mr. Shapiro is popular, well-spoken and capable but has yet to build a national coalition.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 17, 2026

Plus, unlike Trump, Ocasio-Cortez is young, beautiful and well-spoken.

From Salon Jun. 30, 2025

The annual invite-only luncheon honored 10 films and 10 television shows with well-spoken words about each celebrated project followed by a brief clip of a scene.

From Seattle Times Jan. 12, 2024

But I always fought back, and while Ambrose was intelligent and reasonably well-spoken, he was no match for my trouper’s tongue.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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