fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

1

a

: capable of flowing : fluid

powered, granular, or fluent materials

b

: capable of moving with ease and grace

the fluent body of a dancer

2

a

: capable of using a language easily and accurately

fluent in Spanish

a fluent writer

b

: effortlessly smooth and flowing

a fluent performance

spoke in fluent English

c

: having or showing mastery of a subject or skill

fluent in math

fluently adverb

Synonyms

• articulate
• eloquent
• silver-tongued
• well-spoken

Example Sentences

a fluent speaker of Chinese

a very fluent speaker who always communicates his points well

Recent Examples on the Web

Born and raised in Miami, Benitez is fluent in both English and Spanish. —ABC News, 16 May 2023

His fleet and fluent bebop was a regular and popular presence on District bandstands like Twins and HR-57. —Michael J. West, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023

All of these different feelings can lead Latinos who aren’t fluent in Spanish to doubt their connection to their Latino culture or identity. —Karen Garciastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2023

Jennie lived in New Zealand before moving back to South Korea in 2010 and speaks fluent English, Korean and Japanese. —Erica Gerald Mason, Peoplemag, 6 Jan. 2023

Recognizing and correcting missteps will require understanding shopper expectations, though, and that takes the thoughtful collection and analysis of their data, as well as fluent communication. —Jenn Mcmillen, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022

After the war, Suzuki grew ever more convinced that children could learn music the way that children learn language, becoming fluent with maximal exposure and minimal overt instruction—an idea that vibrated with American dreams of instant, just-add-water accomplishment. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2022

Abdel Aziz spoke fluent English and was trying to report mistreatment claims to JAG officers. —Tori Otten, The New Republic, 28 Apr. 2023

Another Russian technocrat, Mr. Putin’s chief economic adviser Maksim Oreshkin, 40, worked in the French bank Crédit Agricole and is fluent in English. —Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere — more at fluid

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

1

: fluid entry 1 sense 1a

2

a

: able to speak easily and smoothly

fluent in Spanish

b

: done in a smooth easy way

fluently adverb

Etymology

from Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere "to flow" — related to fluid