eloquent

adjective el·o·quent \ ˈe-lə-kwənt \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: eloquent in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of eloquent

1 : marked by forceful and fluent expression

an eloquent preacher

2 : vividly or movingly expressive or revealing

an eloquent monument

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eloquently

adverb

See eloquent defined for English-language learners

See eloquent defined for kids

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Examples of eloquent in a Sentence

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
His success serves as an eloquent reminder of the value of hard work.
an eloquent writer and speaker, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the founders of the women's rights movement

Recent Examples of eloquent from the Web

From this observation materialized Barlow’s career as one of the network’s most eloquent theorizers.

— jesse jarnow, WIRED, "The Ghost of John Perry Barlow Lives in His Posthumous Memoir," 5 June 2018
Rohrabacher has been an eloquent voice for liberty, but not an effective voice for the people of his district.

— jim righeimer, latimes.com, "After years of supporting Dana Rohrabacher, I am voting for Scott Baugh," 18 May 2018
What is eloquent and astonishing in Uglow’s biography is her demonstration of how embedded Lear was in Victorian art and culture.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "The Sense Beneath Edward Lear’s Nonsense," 17 Apr. 2018
His eloquent speeches — criticizing their efforts to change health care and immigration policy — have garnered millions of views on Facebook.

— martin finucane, BostonGlobe.com, "6 things to know about Joseph Kennedy III," 30 Jan. 2018
Like most members of the Westworld cast, Quarterman praises his frequent scene partner Thandie Newton who had to wordlessly take in much of his exposition with just the eloquent roll of an eyeball in the episode’s first minutes.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Is Lee Sizemore Westworld’s Season 2’s Most Important Character?," 21 May 2018
Gibbons’ pure guitar tone and eloquent playing were the unifying factor, even as the band moved into the strange mechanized almost disco-rock sound of its later hits.

— john adamian, courant.com, "John Fogerty And ZZ Top At Mohegan Sun," 19 May 2018
Wilson and Karev get married on the ferry by a very eloquent Meredith, and Kepner gets married at the site of the disaster.

— refinery29.com, "Grey's Anatomy Season 14, Episode 24 Recap: "All Of Me"," 18 May 2018
Both were eloquent on the role of drag in the piece.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "Taylor Mac's '24 Decades' at PIFA will spotlight Martha Graham Cracker, many other locals," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eloquent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Since "eloquent" can have to do with speaking, it makes sense that it comes from the Latin verb loqui, which means "to speak." "Loqui" is the parent of many "talkative" offspring in English. "Loquacious," which means "given to fluent or excessive talk," also arose from "loqui." Another "loqui" relative is "circumlocution," a word that means someone is talking around a subject to avoid making a direct statement (circum- means "around"). And a "ventriloquist" is someone who makes his or her voice sound like it’s coming from another source.

Origin and Etymology of eloquent

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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eloquent Synonyms

ELOQUENT Defined for English Language Learners

eloquent

adjective

Definition of eloquent for English Language Learners

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

ELOQUENT Defined for Kids

eloquent

adjective el·o·quent \ ˈe-lə-kwənt \

Definition of eloquent for Students

1 : having or showing clear and forceful expression

an eloquent speaker

an eloquent plan

2 : clearly showing some feeling or meaning

an eloquent look

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eloquently

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.