Speech & Eloquence Vocabulary

fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing

“The eloquent speech moved the audience to tears.”

Origin: Latin eloquent-: e- (out) + loqui (to speak)

able to speak fluently and coherently

“She was articulate and confident in the interview.”

Origin: Latin articulatus: articulus (small joint, division)

using more words than needed; wordy

“His verbose writing style tested readers' patience.”

Origin: Latin verbosus: verbum (word)

briefly and clearly expressed

“Her succinct summary captured the main points perfectly.”

Origin: Latin succinctus: sub- (from below) + cingere (to gird)

sparing in the use of words; abrupt

“His terse reply suggested he was annoyed.”

Origin: Latin tersus (wiped clean, neat)

concise and forcefully expressive

“The pithy observation summed up the situation perfectly.”

Origin: Old English pitha (pith, essence)

tending to talk a great deal

“The loquacious host kept the conversation flowing.”

Origin: Latin loquax: loqui (to speak)

reserved or uncommunicative; saying little

“The taciturn man rarely spoke more than necessary.”

Origin: Latin taciturnus: tacere (to be silent)

pompous or extravagant in language or style

“His grandiloquent speeches impressed no one.”

Origin: Latin grandiloquus: grandis (grand) + loqui (to speak)

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated

“The bombastic rhetoric failed to convince skeptics.”

Origin: French bombast, from Greek bombux (silk, cotton padding)

using many words and ornaments; flowery

“Her florid prose was beautiful but exhausting to read.”

Origin: Latin floridus: flos/flor- (flower)

using very few words

“True to his laconic nature, he simply nodded.”

Origin: Greek Lakonikos (of Laconia/Sparta), known for terseness

fluent but insincere and shallow

“His glib explanations failed to satisfy critics.”

Origin: Middle Dutch glibberen (to slip), or Germanic root

speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently

“She became voluble after a glass of wine.”

Origin: Latin volubilis: volvere (to roll)

excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters

“The garrulous neighbor shared every detail of his day.”

Origin: Latin garrulus: garrire (to chatter)

clear, logical, and convincing

“She presented a cogent argument for reform.”

Origin: Latin cogent-: co- (together) + agere (to drive)

vigorous or incisive in expression

“His trenchant criticism exposed the plan's flaws.”

Origin: Old French trenchant: trenchier (to cut)

intelligently analytical and clear-thinking

“Her incisive questions revealed the truth.”

Origin: Latin incisivus: incidere (to cut into)

using many words where fewer would do

“His circumlocutory style made simple ideas confusing.”

Origin: Latin circumlocutio: circum (around) + loqui (to speak)

sweet-sounding; pleasant to hear

“The mellifluous narrator made the audiobook a pleasure.”

Origin: Latin mellifluus: mel (honey) + fluere (to flow)

expressed in terms intended to persuade or impress

“He used rhetorical devices to enhance his speech.”

Origin: Greek rhetorikos: rhetor (speaker, orator)

the art or practice of formal speaking in public

“His skills in oratory made him a powerful leader.”

Origin: Latin oratorius: orare (to speak, pray)