fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

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

Synonyms

• articulate
• eloquent
• silver-tongued
• well-spoken

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

But, as the historian Rosina Lozano has demonstrated, Latinos also faced challenges that remained unaddressed, especially the fact that many of them weren’t fluent in English. —Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2024

Tommaso chatted with the woman in Chadian Arabic, in which both Tommaso and Rocco are fluent. —Aminatta Forna, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2024

Family and friends at the time remembered Htoo as an intelligent student who was fluent in English, his second language. —Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2024

The reporter, who is fluent in Russian, was accused of gathering information for the CIA and sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage. —Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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