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

Oman, which long has been an interlocutor between Tehran and the West, summoned an Iranian diplomat to criticize the attack. — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

His visit comes as interlocutors try to revive the faltering diplomatic process after recent strikes between the US and Iran. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

And of course, the interlocutor didn’t really have an answer to that. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Rather than a direct message, the original card took the form of a dialogue between two interlocutors named Donald and Jeffrey. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 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

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