fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

1

a

: capable of flowing : fluid

powdered, 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 of fluent

• articulate
• eloquent
• vocal
• outspoken

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

All of them exude the spirit of Kyoto and speak fluent Japanese. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

While becoming fluent in English has been the biggest challenge for Mirković in his move to the United States, Illinois’ practices had a different challenge. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

But somewhere in those final miles his cadence started dropping and his stride became less fluent, and Nathan Martin was out there cooking quietly. —Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026

El Hammoumy is passionate about his native country, eloquent in English, a scholar with a PhD in Morocco’s oral-history traditions, and—like any millennial—equally fluent in online life. —Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fluent

• suant
• truant
• confluent
• diluent
• eluent
• pursuant

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