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 Jackson stood his ground, straddling a line between his role as a rising Democratic Party figure, and as the independent interlocutor who found success in his ability to operate outside strict government lines. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

Our present podcast era has bred a new generation of interlocutors from the public sphere, veteran interviewees turned journalists. —Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

Millions of people already rely on chatbots powered by large language models, and have integrated these synthetic interlocutors into their personal and professional lives. —Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026

When Mike Ditka brought his call-in show from WGN-AM to the Score in 1992, WSCR bosses assigned Boers to serve as one of the station’s interlocutors. —Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

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