elocution

noun

el·​o·​cu·​tion ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce elocution (audio)
1
: a style of speaking especially in public
2
: the art of effective public speaking
elocutionary adjective
elocutionist noun

Examples of elocution in a Sentence

He took lessons in elocution. the oft-told story that he practiced elocution by learning to speak with a mouth full of pebbles
Recent Examples on the Web Rosetta was unusually anxious about public speaking, so she was given elocution lessons. Anita Gates, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2023 Would elocution stand a chance if it were formally reintroduced into the school curriculum today? Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2023 From elocution lessons to highway signs to serenades, startup founders looking to raise money in the Covid-19 era are developing new strategies to sell themselves and their companies—which might be only an idea on paper—through a video chat app on their laptop. Heather Somerville, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2020 She quickly to turning to the theater, aided by elocution lessons, and found her calling. Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2023 Balancing blaze with warmth, tenor Barrett Radziun favored dramatic elocution over conventional smoothness. Dallas News, 23 Dec. 2022 The good-humoredness of warrior M’Baku (Winston Duke), with his calm elocution and handsome furs, can only get you so far. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2022 The Westeros public gave her the name the Realm's Delight — but instead of busying her days with needlework and elocution classes, Rhaenyra serves as her father's cupbearer and rides dragons. Nick Romano, EW.com, 13 July 2022 Following her family’s move to a somewhat more upscale area, she is sent for elocution lessons as part of the transition. Clea Simon, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elocution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ellocucioun "oratorical or literary style," borrowed from Latin ēlocūtiōn-, ēlocūtiō "expression of an idea in words, manner of expressing oneself," from ēlocū-, variant stem of ēloquī "to utter, put into words" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at eloquent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elocution was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near elocution

Cite this Entry

“Elocution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elocution. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elocution

noun
el·​o·​cu·​tion ˌel-ə-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce elocution (audio)
1
: a style of speaking especially in public
2
: the art of effective public speaking
elocutionary adjective
elocutionist noun

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