eloquent

Intermediatezipf 3.21

Pronunciation

/ˈɛləkwənt/(EL-uh-kwunt)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

雄辩的；有口才的；传神的

Definition

Fluent, persuasive, and expressive in speaking or writing.

Word family

  • eloquence/ˈɛləkwəns/(n)口才
  • eloquently/ˈɛləkwəntli/(adv)雄辩地

Collocations

  • eloquent speech
  • eloquent speaker
  • eloquent argument
  • eloquent silence

Examples

  1. 1.She delivered an eloquent speech that moved the audience to tears. (powerful speaking)
  2. 2.His silence was more eloquent than any words. (expressive without words)

Synonyms

  • articulate/ɑːˈtɪkjʊlət/— able to express clearly
  • fluent/ˈfluːənt/— smooth and effortless
  • expressive/ɪkˈsprɛsɪv/— showing feelings effectively

Etymology

e- (out) + loqui (to speak) — to speak out beautifully