eloquent

adjective el·o·quent \ˈe-lə-kwənt\

: having or showing the ability to use language clearly and effectively

: clearly showing feeling or meaning

Full Definition of ELOQUENT

: marked by forceful and fluent expression <an eloquent preacher>

: vividly or movingly expressive or revealing <an eloquent monument>

— el·o·quent·ly adverb

See eloquent defined for English-language learners

See eloquent defined for kids

Examples of ELOQUENT

He [H. L. Mencken] relished the vagaries of vernacular speech and paid eloquent homage to them in The American Language. —Jackson Lears, New Republic, 27 Jan. 2003
Samuel Johnson is palmed off in classrooms as a harmless drudge of a lexicographer, yet open the Dictionary anywhere and find precision and eloquent plainness. —Guy Davenport, The Geography of the Imagination, (1954) 1981
There was a burst of applause, and a deep silence which was even more eloquent than the applause. —Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge, 1886
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Origin of ELOQUENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin eloquent-, eloquens, from present participle of eloqui to speak out, from e- + loqui to speak

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ELOQUENT

Synonyms: articulate, fluent, silver-tongued, well-spoken

Antonyms: inarticulate, ineloquent, unvocal

ELOQUENT Defined for Kids

eloquent

adjective el·o·quent \ˈe-lə-kwənt\

Definition of ELOQUENT for Kids

: having or showing clear and forceful expression <an eloquent speaker> <an eloquent plan>

: clearly showing some feeling or meaning <an eloquent look>

— el·o·quent·ly adverb

Word Root of ELOQUENT

The Latin word loquī, meaning “to talk” or “to speak,” and its form locūtus give us the roots locu and loqu. Words from the Latin loquī have something to do with talking. An eloquent speaker speaks clearly and well. Elocution is the art of speaking or reading well in public. A ventriloquist is a person who speaks so that the voice seems to come from elsewhere.