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

The teachers need to be certified in elementary education, fluent in Spanish and certified to teach students who speak other languages, Jackson said. — Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

By contrast, a human child typically begins to grasp language by their first birthday and achieves fluent mastery by hearing only 10 million to 30 million words. — Kelly Huang, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Born and raised in Miami, Benitez is fluent in both English and Spanish. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Kim So-un, fluent in both Japanese and Korean, grew up in colonial Korea. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 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

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

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