good communication skills
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for good communication skills, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun phrase — The ability to express ideas clearly and appropriately, and to listen and read others well enough that information is genuinely exchanged rather than merely sent.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
poor communication skills
How to use good communication skills
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
excellent communication skills
strong communication skills
verbal and written communication skills
demonstrate good communication skills
A staple of job adverts, CVs and appraisals. Because it appears on almost every CV it carries little weight unless backed by a concrete example.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as good communication skills?
Broadly four things: speaking clearly and to the point, writing so the reader understands first time, listening actively enough to check you have understood, and adjusting tone and detail to the audience. Non-verbal signals such as eye contact and body language are usually included too.
What is the difference between communication skills and social skills?
Communication skills are about transmitting and receiving information accurately, including in writing. Social skills are broader and cover navigating relationships — reading a room, building rapport, handling conflict. Someone can write superbly and still lack social skills.
