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

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 Born in Copenhagen, Ferraro has lived in Munich for more than two decades and is fluent in German, English, Danish and Italian. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2024 Munk is now fluent in English, which is the lingua franca of Alchemist. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 Every one of our embassies around the world will have at least one person who is truly fluent in tech and digital policy. Garrett M. Graff, WIRED, 4 Sep. 2024 Dominican Saldana was fluent, but had to adjust her accent to Mexican, as did Castilian Karla Sofia Gascón. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fluent 

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 11 Oct. 2024.

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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