eloquent

[ el-uh-kwuhnt ]

adjective

1. having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech:

   an eloquent orator.

2. characterized by forceful and appropriate expression:

   an eloquent speech.

3. movingly expressive:

   looks eloquent of disgust.

eloquent

/ ˈɛləkwənt /

adjective

1. (of speech, writing, etc) characterized by fluency and persuasiveness
2. visibly or vividly expressive, as of an emotion

   an eloquent yawn

Derived Forms

• ˈeloquently, adverb

Other Words From

• elo·quent·ly adverb
• elo·quent·ness noun
• non·elo·quent adjective
• non·elo·quent·ly adverb
• quasi-elo·quent adjective
• quasi-elo·quent·ly adverb
• super·elo·quent adjective
• super·elo·quent·ly adverb
• un·elo·quent adjective
• un·elo·quent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eloquent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ēloquent-, stem of ēloquēns “speaking out,” present participle of ēloquī “to speak out,” from ē- e- ¹ + loquī “to speak”

Word History and Origins

Origin of eloquent¹

C14: from Latin ēloquēns, from ēloquī to speak out, from loquī to speak

Synonym Study

Eloquent, fluent, articulate, expressive are adjectives that characterize speech or speakers notable for their effectiveness. Eloquent suggests clarity and power: an eloquent plea for disarmament. Fluent, with a root sense of flowing, refers to easy, smooth, facile speech: fluent in three languages. Articulate characterizes a clear and effective speaker or speech: an articulate spokesman for tax reform. Expressive focuses on rendering intelligible or meaningful the ideas or feelings of a speaker or writer and implies an especially effective, vivid use of language: a deeply moving, powerfully expressive evocation of a city childhood. fluent.

Example Sentences

He should also be remembered for being an early and eloquent foe of Nazism.

From The Daily Beast

For her part, Michele, in interviews, is eloquent, to the point, and assured.

From The Daily Beast

But what about the eloquent, book smart, interesting, quirky, inquisitive black woman, you ask?

From The Daily Beast

In the eloquent words of colonial preacher John Winthrop, “When a man is to wade through deep water, there is required tallness.”

From The Daily Beast

What happened to that hopeful, eloquent man we elected in 2008?

From The Daily Beast

He was a patriot of the noblest and most extensive views, and justly celebrated as a man of learning, eloquent and refined.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked up at him with sad and eloquent eyes, which softened his heart in spite of himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Tories will wax eloquent on "the pink miasma of revolutionary Radicalism."

From Project Gutenberg

Hugh said nothing, but his silence was eloquent to Evelyn, who knew now the whole story of the girl with the soft eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Never had the black population of the city listened to or witnessed a more eloquent appeal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affecting
• ardent
• articulate
• expressive
• fervent
• forceful
• impassioned
• moving
• outspoken
• passionate
• persuasive
• poignant
• powerful
• revealing
• stirring
• touching
• vivid
• vocal