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

Live Spanish translation of Elgin City Council meetings is now being offered under a pilot program designed to make government more accessible to those not fluent in English. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Back then, there were no shortcuts—and becoming fluent in Welsh to speak it at his investiture ceremony was famously difficult for Queen Elizabeth II’s heir. —Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026

So Nam stayed in the country, became fluent in Korean and found fame as a pop star. —Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026

He is said to be tech-savvy and fluent in Arabic and English, as well as having published 24 books and articles, Vatanka wrote. —Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 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