interlocutor

noun

in·​ter·​loc·​u·​tor ˌin-tər-ˈlä-kyə-tər How to pronounce interlocutor (audio)
1
: one who takes part in dialogue or conversation
2
: a man in the middle of the line in a minstrel show who questions the end men and acts as leader

Did you know?

It may not necessarily be grandiloquence to use the word interlocutor in casual speech, but if your interlocutors—that is, the people with whom you are speaking—are using it, your conversation is likely a formal one. Interlocutor is one of many English words that comes from the Latin verb loqui, “to speak,” including loquacious (“talkative”), eloquent (“capable of fluent or vivid speech”), and grandiloquence (“extravagant or pompous speech”). In interlocutor, loqui was joined to inter- forming a Latin word meaning “to speak between” or “to issue an interlocutory decree.” An interlocutory decree is a judicial decision that isn’t final, or that deals with a point other than the principal subject matter of the dispute.

Examples of interlocutor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web My interlocutors had a range of views on this, but in general the Gazans were skeptical. Rachel Lu, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 American interlocutors assured the Europeans that, ultimately, the bill would pass and money and military equipment would continue to flow. Souad Mekhennet, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Russia’s autocratic president spent the first hour dragging his interlocutor along a languid tour of Russia’s history, beginning at the first East Slavic state in 862 and continuing into the modern era, with many detours along the way. Noah Rothman, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 Blinken had arrived in Doha after Tuesday meetings in Egypt – another key interlocutor – and meetings Monday in Saudi Arabia. Abeer Salman, Ibrahim Dahman and Tim Lister, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024 Most of his American interlocutors long ago came to understand the dodge. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2024 The authentic liberation yearned for by modern women — to be treated as an equal interlocutor in the dialogue of society — can be acquired only by rejecting the self-objectification peddled by groups on both the left and the right. Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 10 Jan. 2024 Palantir hired Ukrainian engineers who could adapt its software for the war effort, while also serving as interlocutors between the tech company and Ukraine’s sclerotic bureaucracy. TIME, 8 Feb. 2024 Those who have spoken in-depth with him over the years describe a difficult interlocutor. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interlocutor.' 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 interloqui to speak between, issue an interlocutory decree, from inter- + loqui to speak

First Known Use

1514, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interlocutor was in 1514

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near interlocutor

Cite this Entry

“Interlocutor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlocutor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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