eloquent
adjective
el·o·quent
ˈe-lə-kwənt 
1
: marked by forceful and fluent expression
an eloquent preacher
2
: vividly or movingly expressive or revealing
an eloquent monument
eloquently
adverb
Did you know?
Since eloquent has to do with speaking, it makes sense that it comes from the Latin verb loquī, which means "to talk or speak." (The adjective loquacious describes a person who is skilled at or has the inclination for talking.) Expression of the self can be seen and not heard, which gives meaning to eloquent as an adjective for nonverbal impressive acts.
Examples of eloquent in a Sentence
He [H. L. Mencken] relished the vagaries of vernacular speech and paid eloquent homage to them in The American Language.
—
Jackson Lears, New Republic, 27 Jan. 2003
Samuel Johnson is palmed off in classrooms as a harmless drudge of a lexicographer, yet open the Dictionary anywhere and find precision and eloquent plainness.
—Guy Davenport, The Geography of the Imagination, (1954) 1981
There was a burst of applause, and a deep silence which was even more eloquent than the applause.
—Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge, 1886
His success serves as an eloquent reminder of the value of hard work.
an eloquent writer and speaker, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the founders of the women's rights movement
Jackson Lears, New Republic, 27 Jan. 2003
Samuel Johnson is palmed off in classrooms as a harmless drudge of a lexicographer, yet open the Dictionary anywhere and find precision and eloquent plainness.
—Guy Davenport, The Geography of the Imagination, (1954) 1981
There was a burst of applause, and a deep silence which was even more eloquent than the applause.
—Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge, 1886
His success serves as an eloquent reminder of the value of hard work.
an eloquent writer and speaker, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the founders of the women's rights movement
Recent Examples on the Web
An unusually eloquent waiter—an aspiring actor—took our order and returned with the plates: pork shoulder for Graham, a hockey-puck-size fish cake with anchovy sauce for me.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
In a lengthy and eloquent letter, Laura set down her husband’s final hours.
—Paul Lindholdt, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2024
This is Lorde at her sharpest, most eloquent, and certainly most tantalizing.
—Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
One video image of a highway at night was more eloquent than anything in the lead-up to Johnny’s Greyhound getaway.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for eloquent 
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Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
In a lengthy and eloquent letter, Laura set down her husband’s final hours.
—Paul Lindholdt, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2024
This is Lorde at her sharpest, most eloquent, and certainly most tantalizing.
—Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
One video image of a highway at night was more eloquent than anything in the lead-up to Johnny’s Greyhound getaway.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for eloquent
Dictionary Entries Near eloquent
Cite this Entry
“Eloquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eloquent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
eloquent
adjective
el·o·quent
ˈel-ə-kwənt
1
: having or showing clear and forceful expression
an eloquent speaker
an eloquent essay
2
: clearly showing some feeling or meaning
an eloquent look
eloquently
adverb
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