voluble

adjective

vol·​u·​ble ˈväl-yə-bəl 

1

: easily rolling or turning : rotating

2

: characterized by ready or rapid speech : glib, fluent

volubility

ˌväl-yə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

volubleness

ˈväl-yə-bəl-nəs 

noun

volubly

ˈväl-yə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

Voluble traces back to Latin volvere, meaning "to set in a circular course" or "to cause to roll." English rolled with that meaning, using voluble as an adjective to describe things easily rolling, changing, or turning, and later added the meaning of Latin volūbilis, which implies readily flowing speech. Today, voluble most often describes an individual who speaks easily and often.

Choose the Right Synonym for voluble

talkative, loquacious, garrulous, voluble mean given to talk or talking.

talkative may imply a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation.

a talkative neighbor

loquacious suggests the power of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly.

a loquacious spokesperson

garrulous implies prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity.

garrulous traveling companions

voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity.

a voluble raconteur

Examples of voluble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Covert operations, such as the assassination of a top terrorist leader or Pakistani intelligence or military official, may offer plausible deniability but are unlikely to satisfy the voluble political and public demand for action. —Sushant Singh, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025

But perhaps none has been as voluble or persistent as Michael Roth, who has been president of Wesleyan since 2007. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025

That gig features Newsom, former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and sports agent Doug Hendrickson in yet another podcast feedin’ the hunger of those with a bottomless appetite for the state’s voluble chief executive. —Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

Here, the director of some of the most voluble of all films exalts immediate experience and rarefied perception to grand historical dimensions—Oliveira condenses a lifetime of artistic striving into infinitesimal flourishes of overwhelming power. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English volible, voluble "able to turn, changing," borrowed from Latin volūbilis "turning on its axis, rolling, flowing, (of speech) readily flowing, fluent," from volū-, variant stem of volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at wallow entry 1, -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for voluble

• indissoluble
• insoluble
• revoluble
• soluble

Kids Definition

voluble

adjective

vol·​u·​ble ˈväl-yə-bəl 

: having a smooth and fast flow of words in speaking

volubility

ˌväl-yə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

volubly

ˈväl-yə-blē 

adverb