eloquence

noun

el·​o·​quence ˈe-lə-kwən(t)s 

1

: discourse marked by force and persuasiveness

also : the art or power of using such discourse

2

: the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness

Synonyms

• articulacy [chiefly British]
• articulateness
• poetry
• rhetoric

Examples of eloquence in a Sentence

The senator's eloquence is well known.

She spoke with eloquence on the need for better schools.

Recent Examples on the Web

This can also affect your communication abilities, granting you more inspiration and eloquence to enchant others through your writing or speech. —Kyle Thomas, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025

The ability to convey gratitude and appreciation in just a few words can resonate — proving that brevity can be just as powerful as eloquence. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

There is no epiphany and no resolution, only a rupture that even the husband’s eloquence can’t heal. —Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

Other speeches went on far too long, but scant few had true eloquence or electricity. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin ēloquentia, noun derivative of ēloquent-, ēloquens "capable of speech, expressing oneself fluently, eloquent"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

eloquence

noun

el·​o·​quence ˈel-ə-kwən(t)s 

: speech or writing that is forceful and convincing

also : the art or power of speaking or writing in a forceful and convincing way