meaning of speech eloquent

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Definition of eloquent

Did you know.

Since eloquent has to do with speaking, it makes sense that it comes from the Latin verb loquī , which means "to talk or speak." (The adjective loquacious describes a person who is skilled at or has the inclination for talking.) Expression of the self can be seen and not heard, which gives meaning to eloquent as an adjective for nonverbal impressive acts.

• silver-tongued
• well-spoken

Examples of eloquent in a Sentence

Word history.

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin ēloquent-, ēloquens "capable of speech, expressing oneself fluently," from present participle of ēloquī "to utter, put into words," from ē- e- entry 1 + loquī "to talk, speak," probably going back to dialectal Indo-European *tlok w - "talk," whence also Old Irish ad-tluichethar "(s/he) gives thanks" (originally with buide "thanks" as object, as in atluchedar buidi do Día "he thanks God"), do-tluichethar "(s/he) desires, beseeches, asks," Old Church Slavic tlŭk "interpreter" (from *tl̥k w -o- )

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing eloquent

• wax eloquent

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

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Dictionary Entries Near eloquent

eloquentness

Cite this Entry

“Eloquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eloquent. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of eloquent, more from merriam-webster on eloquent.

Nglish: Translation of eloquent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of eloquent for Arabic Speakers

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eloquent speech

Meanings of eloquent and speech.

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(Definition of eloquent and speech from the Cambridge English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

• Examples of eloquent speech

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• Definition of eloquent
• Definition of speech
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Home / Guides / Grammar Guides / Vocabulary Guides / Usage Guides / How To Use Eloquent In A Sentence

How To Use Eloquent In A Sentence

This helpful guide will show you how to use eloquent in a sentence. It will show you the definition of eloquent , as well as synonyms, antonyms, and the types of connotations that the word can carry.

Usage for eloquent

Definition: having or exercising articulate, expressive, and moving speech

Part(s) of speech: adjective

Antonyms: cold; dispassionate; dull

Synonyms: affecting; fervent; stirring

Here are but a few sample sentences of the word in action!

• The first two acts were quite boring, but that final speech was so eloquent that I completely forgot about the play’s faults.
• He barely ever talks, but when he does, he always sounds eloquent.
• When she asks for forgiveness, she’s so eloquent that I can’t help but forgive her.
• The best military leaders are usually eloquent orators, which helps to rouse the troops.
• I think your poem needs a lot of work, but I did find the last line quite eloquent and beautiful.
• The singer’s lyrics are so moving and eloquent .
• Everyone else seemed to find the speaker very eloquent, but I considered his whole speech to be exceptionally dull.
• There is a concern that you need to be eloquent in your wedding vows, but I think it’s best if you just speak from the heart.
• The scariest politicians are sometimes the most  eloquent. If they can charm you with their speech, they don’t need to worry about charming you with their actions.
• Dickens is a very eloquent writer, but I’m not always very engaged with his plots.
• He’s always so eloquent when we talk on the phone, but whenever we meet in person, he’s too shy to even say hello.
• I don’t need my managers to be eloquent in their presentations. Just stick to the facts.
• This group doesn’t care about how eloquent you are when you speak. They believe actions speak louder than words.
• Cyrano has the most eloquent way with words, but it is Christian who has the looks to win over the beautiful Roxanne.
• Sometimes, the most eloquent speeches are also the briefest.

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Definition of 'eloquent'

eloquent in British English

Eloquent in american english, examples of 'eloquent' in a sentence eloquent, cobuild collocations eloquent, trends of eloquent.

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In other languages eloquent

• American English : eloquent / ˈɛləkwənt /
• Brazilian Portuguese : eloquente
• Chinese : 雄辩的
• European Spanish : elocuente
• French : éloquent
• German : wortgewandt
• Italian : eloquente
• Japanese : 説得力のある
• Korean : 설득력이 있는
• European Portuguese : eloquente
• Latin American Spanish : elocuente
• Thai : ที่มีวรรณศิลป์, ที่มีวาทศิลป์

Browse alphabetically eloquent

• eloquent expression
• eloquent speaker
• eloquent speech
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'E'

Related terms of eloquent

• eloquent words
• eloquent statement
• eloquent testimony
• View more related words

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Definitions

From the american heritage® dictionary of the english language, 5th edition..

• adjective Capable of or characterized by eloquence.

from The Century Dictionary.

• Having the power of expressing strong emotions in vivid and appropriate speech; able to utter moving thoughts or words: as, an eloquent orator or preacher; an eloquent tongue.
• Expressing strong emotions with fluency and power; movingly uttered or expressed; stirring; persuasive: as, an eloquent address; eloquent history; an eloquent appeal to a jury.
• Manifesting or exciting emotion, feeling, or interest through any of the senses; movingly expressive or affecting: as, eloquent looks or gestures; a hush of eloquent silence.
• Giving strong expression or manifestation; vividly characteristic.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

• adjective Having the power of expressing strong emotions or forcible arguments in an elevated, impassioned, and effective manner.
• adjective Adapted to express strong emotion or to state facts arguments with fluency and power

from Wiktionary , Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• adjective fluently persuasive and articulate
• adjective effective in expressing meaning by speech

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

• adjective expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively

Etymologies

From the american heritage® dictionary of the english language, 4th edition, from wiktionary, creative commons attribution/share-alike license.

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word eloquent .

I couldn't pronounce the word " eloquent " correctly and I was wearing a black dress I had borrowed from my sister.

Grace Li: A Long Overdue 'Thank You' to Youth Service America Grace Li 2011

The part of the brain that this seems to have affected is what we call eloquent brain, some of the highest prices real estate in the brain.

CNN Transcript Dec 14, 2006 2006

The man stands up there and speaks in eloquent terms of part of the proposed legislation that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

Georgia congressman: Wilson's outburst 'carefully calculated' 2009

[…] Did you know that your President knows how to do the call to the prayer in eloquent classical Arabic?

mjh's blog — 2009 — September 2009

In an impressive address, His Lordship referred in eloquent terms to the life of the deceased, and various traits in his character.

Archive 2009-03-01 2009

There was little about his speech that could be called eloquent , despite the fact that he was well educated.

The Poet Prince KATHLEEN MCGOWAN 2010

But consider that the Catholic Bishops, who have, from my perspective, unfortunately concentrated their energies on the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage, have also engaged in eloquent criticism of American actions in the Iraq War, and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops is among the most important groups that still support the idea of a vigorous welfare state.

Balkinization 2006

/… Her language I knew not, but what her eyes said will forever remain eloquent in its anguish.

Tagore and His India 2001

Related Words

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synonyms (71)

Words with the same meaning.

• Demosthenian
• Demosthenic
• declamatory
• elocutionary
• free-speaking
• free-spoken
• impassioned
• loud-speaking
• loud-spoken
• plain-speaking
• plain-spoken
• sententious
• significant
• silver-tongued
• smooth-spoken
• smooth-tongued
• soft-speaking
• soft-spoken
• spellbinding
• true-speaking
• well-spoken

equivalents (1)

Other words for 'eloquent', same context (9), words that are found in similar contexts.

• sympathetic

relateds (10)

• interlocution
• interlocutor
• perlocution

Word visualization

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sweetzingiber commented on the word eloquent

(adj): persuasive and moving; specially in speech

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