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

Splice’s biggest asset is its royalty-free sample library, aimed at those already somewhat fluent in DAW systems like Ableton and Logic Pro. —Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026

Cantens, who is American of Cuban ancestry, is fluent in English and Spanish. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

All of the documentation—maps, resort brochures, etc—is in English and Chinese, and while the team might not be fluent in the English language, there’s little a bit of Google Translate can’t fix. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026

Audiences Are Rewarding Depth Audiences today are more culturally fluent and discerning. —Angelique Kuiper, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 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