elocution

[ el-uh-kyoo-shuhn ]

noun

1. a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public:

   The actor's elocution is faultless.

2. the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture.

elocution

/ ˌɛləˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the art of public speaking, esp of voice production, delivery, and gesture

Derived Forms

• ˌeloˈcutionist, noun
• ˌeloˈcutionary, adjective

Other Words From

• el·o·cu·tion·ar·y [el-, uh, -, kyoo, -sh, uh, -ner-ee], adjective
• elo·cution·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elocution¹

1500–10; < Latin ēlocūtiōn- (stem of ēlocūtiō ) a speaking out, equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + locūtiōn- locution

Word History and Origins

Origin of elocution¹

C15: from Latin ēlocūtiō a speaking out, from ēloquī, from loquī to speak

Example Sentences

Where many performers in his position would have tales about elocution training and other pre-production research to share, Galitzine had about two weeks over the holidays to prepare to play his.

From Salon

When I was a kid, I started doing elocution lessons because I had a really bad lisp.

From New York Times

A recent makeup tutorial video posted by Victoria Beckham revived longstanding speculation that the Beckhams are changing their accents and even having elocution lessons.

From Salon

The elocution and volume of the two performances may have differed but both gave this Wales team the same clear message: they go to Qatar with the unwavering support of a proud nation.

From BBC

Gravelly and majestic, with rounded vowels honed by elocution lessons in a rough-and-tumble boys’ home, it assured him an audience even over the scrum of the Australian prisons where he spent much of his life.

From New York Times