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

Examples of fluent in a Sentence

a fluent speaker of Chinese

a very fluent speaker who always communicates his points well

Recent Examples on the Web

The company’s guides are carefully vetted, receive twice-yearly training and are fluent in English to ensure smooth communication and total peace of mind during your trip. —Livia Hengel, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Vance is equally fluent in the language of the national élite, and therefore knows how to get the national media to cover his crazy theories, and how to get national people outraged by them. —David Fontana, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024

Gonzalez estimates that about half of his students are not fluent Spanish speakers. —Daniel Eduardo Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

In particular, Sonia Gil, the company's founder who is not a native Chinese speaker, used to be the Mandarin instructor in the early part of the course, but someone who seems to be fluent in both Chinese and English has replaced her. —PCMAG, 17 Sep. 2024

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