interlocutor

noun

in·​ter·​loc·​u·​tor ˌin-tər-ˈlä-kyə-tər 

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

In the Turing test, a judge communicates by text with two unseen interlocutors—one human, one machine—and tries to tell them apart. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025

In both places, his interlocutors signed on to the peace plan, put forward by the American president, that ended, at least for now, a two-year long war and returned the living hostages to Israel. —Barry Strauss, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

Like Paul, Charlie did not use his incredible intellect to lord it over his interlocutors. —Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

The other interlocutors cannot be identified. —Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin interloqui to speak between, issue an interlocutory decree, from inter- + loqui to speak

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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