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fluent

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

Definition of fluent

1a : capable of flowing : fluid powered, granular, or fluent materials
b : capable of moving with ease and grace the fluent body of a dancer
2a : 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
Other Words from fluent Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fluent

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Other Words from fluent

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 This was a man who was educated in the United States, who was fluent in English and had spent the majority of his life essentially working as a quote unquote, journalist for the Saudi royal family. — CBS News, "Director Bryan Fogel discusses his new film on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing," 23 Dec. 2020 Even more satisfying than the recipes are his writings on cafe culture, including the hilarious admission that even a fluent French speaker struggles with anxiety when trying to order a glass of wine. — Rick Nelson, Star Tribune, "25 cookbooks that need to be part of your collection," 9 Dec. 2020 The sister, who spoke fluent English, reminded him of a typical American teen-ager. — Suki Kim, The New Yorker, "The Underground Movement Trying to Topple the North Korean Regime," 16 Nov. 2020 The professor of political science, who speaks fluent English, has also authored dozens of books. — NBC News, "Senior PLO official Saeb Erekat taken to hospital as Covid-19 condition worsens," 18 Oct. 2020 For Camilo Parra, a pro bono housing attorney and fluent Spanish speaker, interpreting the government directives around the coronavirus for his Hispanic clients can be challenging even for him. — Ingrid Cotto, orlandosentinel.com, "COVID-19 kills Central Florida Hispanics at higher rates. Now they face a language barrier with evictions.," 28 Sep. 2020 David, a fluent Spanish speaker, helped Michelle communicate with a Spanish-speaking mechanic. — Alison Medley, Houston Chronicle, "'Just want you to know I love you': Wife prays under husband's hospital window as he fights COVID-19," 7 Aug. 2020 New York City’s Barry Farber, who reportedly spoke 20 languages, was also fluent in the vernacular of the disaffected urban intellectuals who left the Democratic Party. — Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner, "Conservatives we lost in 2020," 17 Dec. 2020 Braden wrote the scripts, and his mother, who is fluent in French, assisted with the translations. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "R.I.P. Henri, le Chat Noir, angst-ridden feline YouTube star for the ages," 10 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fluent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of fluent

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for fluent

Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere — more at fluid

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Time Traveler for fluent

Time Traveler

The first known use of fluent was in 1585

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Statistics for fluent

Last Updated

10 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluent. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for fluent

fluent

adjective
How to pronounce fluent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fluent

: able to speak a language easily and very well
: done in a smooth and easy way

See the full definition for fluent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fluent

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

Kids Definition of fluent

1 : able to speak easily and well He was fluent in Spanish.
2 : smooth and correct She speaks fluent German.

Other Words from fluent

fluently \ -​ənt-​lē \ adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on fluent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fluent

Nglish: Translation of fluent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fluent for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fluent

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