fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt How to pronounce fluent (audio)
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

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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluent.' 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

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

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluent was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near fluent

Cite this Entry

“Fluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluent. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

fluent

adjective
flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt How to pronounce fluent (audio)
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fluent

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