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

Other Word Forms

• eloquently adverb
• eloquentness noun
• noneloquent adjective
• noneloquently adverb
• quasi-eloquent adjective
• quasi-eloquently adverb
• supereloquent adjective
• supereloquently adverb
• uneloquent adjective
• uneloquently 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. See also fluent.

Example Sentences

Yet Boggs makes a strong case for these books as successful formal experiments in which Baldwin once again transmuted the storms of his personal life into eloquent indictments of systemic racism.

From Los Angeles Times

I just think his depiction of the horrors of addiction . . . obviously, he is writing from experience . . . but he’s so accurate and honest and eloquent.

From Salon

He’s a regular presence on national media outlets, quick and eloquent with insights and righteous anger.

From Los Angeles Times

“We need to be peaceful. We need to be eloquent.”

From Los Angeles Times

“They want arrests. They want to see us fail. We need to be peaceful. We need to be eloquent,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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