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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

eloquent

EHL-uh-kwuhnt

Eloquent (adj) means Able to express ideas fluently, persuasively, and with polish, especially in speech. Example: “She gave an eloquent speech that moved the whole audience.”

adj
1
Able to express ideas fluently, persuasively, and with polish, especially in speech.
"She gave an eloquent speech that moved the whole audience."
"He's remarkably eloquent for someone so young."

How to use eloquent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGood with words — fluent, persuasive, and polished when speaking or writing.

Common pairings
eloquent speaker eloquent argument eloquent defense

Word forms

more eloquent comparative, most eloquent superlative

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Test yourself on “eloquent” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She gave an _____ speech that moved the whole audience.

Etymology

From Latin eloquens, "speaking out," the present participle of eloqui, "to speak out."

Origin: Latin

articulate fluent well-spoken expressive persuasive silver-tongued

Related words

Rhymes for eloquent

See all rhymes for eloquent →

Frequently asked questions

What does “eloquent” mean?

The word “eloquent” means able to express ideas fluently, persuasively, and with polish, especially in speech. In plain terms, good with words — fluent, persuasive, and polished when speaking or writing.

How do you pronounce “eloquent”?

“Eloquent” is pronounced EHL-uh-kwuhnt (/ˈɛl.əˌkwənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “eloquent” in a sentence?

Here is “eloquent” used in a sentence: “She gave an eloquent speech that moved the whole audience.”

What part of speech is “eloquent”?

“Eloquent” is an adjective.

Where does the word “eloquent” come from?

The word “eloquent” comes from Latin. From Latin eloquens, "speaking out," the present participle of eloqui, "to speak out.".

Is “eloquent” a common word?

“Eloquent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial