well-spoken
Americanadjective
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speaking well, fittingly, or pleasingly.
The new chairwoman was very well-spoken.
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polite in speech.
a well-spoken gentleman.
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spoken in an apt, fitting, or pleasing manner.
a few well-spoken words on civic pride.
adjective
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having a clear, articulate, and socially acceptable accent and way of speaking
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spoken satisfactorily or pleasingly
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.
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
“He was well-spoken, thoughtful. He understood what he had done.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2023
‘A very nice well-spoken gentlehobbit is Mr. Bilbo, as I’ve always said,’ the Gaffer declared.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.