diction

noun dic·tion \ˈdik-shən\

: the clearness of a person's speech

: the way in which words are used in speech or writing

Full Definition of DICTION

obsolete : verbal description

: choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

a : vocal expression : enunciation

b : pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing

— dic·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— dic·tion·al·ly \-ē\ adverb

See diction defined for English-language learners

See diction defined for kids

Examples of DICTION

He has wisely chosen to render almost all the material in what novelists and writers of creative nonfiction like to call “close third person,” approximating the diction and consciousness of his characters but retaining the freedom to wander into the bigger picture. —Thomas Mallon, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009
No one is better than Didion at using flatness of affect and formality of diction to convey seething anger and disdain. —New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2001
When he sang Anatol in the world premiere of Samuel Barber's Vanessa, in 1958, Gedda's performance received high marks for impeccable diction and enunciation—in that mostly American cast, he was the only principal whose English could be understood. —Patrick J. Smith, Opera News, November 1999
[+]more [-]hide

Origin of DICTION

Latin diction-, dictio speaking, style, from dicere to say; akin to Old English tēon to accuse, Latin dicare to proclaim, dedicate, Greek deiknynai to show, dikē judgment, right

First Known Use: 1581