fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt How to pronounce fluent (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But his client, who grew up on the West Coast, speaks fluent English. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 The aspiring app developers of today no longer have to be fluent in coding. Angela Yang, NBC news, 13 May 2025 Today, there are five fluent speakers of the Chochenyo language. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 11 May 2025 What To Know Leo, 69, has spent much of his career in Peru and is fluent in Spanish and Italian. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluent

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

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Cite this Entry

“Fluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluent. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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