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

But Vatican insiders and interlocutors said the pontiff wanted to avoid getting swept up in the polarizing politics that characterized his country. —Almudena Calatrava and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Speaking of gifted interlocutors, Wednesday there was a conversation at the Hammer with artist Precious Okoyomon conducted by the Serpentine Gallery’s conversationalist par excellence Hans Ulrich Obrist, hosted by The Fondation Beyeler and UBS. —Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

LeBlanc, who served as Minister of Finance in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, has been a key interlocutor in the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, and traveled to Washington yesterday for a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. —Olivia Kemp, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is Russia’s principal interlocutor in OPEC, which has significant influence over global oil markets. —Hanna Notte, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2025

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

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