fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

1

a

: capable of flowing : fluid

powdered, granular, or fluent materials

b

: capable of moving with ease and grace

the fluent body of a dancer

2

a

: capable of using a language easily and accurately

fluent in Spanish

a fluent writer

b

: effortlessly smooth and flowing

a fluent performance

spoke in fluent English

c

: having or showing mastery of a subject or skill

fluent in math

fluently adverb

Synonyms

• articulate
• eloquent
• silver-tongued
• well-spoken

Examples of fluent in a Sentence

a fluent speaker of Chinese

a very fluent speaker who always communicates his points well

Recent Examples on the Web

Waltz celebrated the operation’s launch with a fluent string of emojis: 👊🇺🇸🔥. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025

Life, those who are already fluent in modern wellness-speak have been the earliest adopters, but Mackey thinks that word of mouth will be a powerful tool for broadening their customer base. —Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 24 Mar. 2025

Being fluent in more than one language adds to this complexity. —Topsie Vandenbosch, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Early in his distinguished career, David Lean was known simply as a smart, economical director of fluent Noël Coward and Charles Dickens adaptations. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere — more at fluid

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fluent

• suant
• truant
• confluent
• diluent
• eluent
• pursuant

Kids Definition

fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

1

: fluid entry 1 sense 1a

2

a

: able to speak easily and smoothly

fluent in Spanish

b

: done in a smooth easy way

fluently adverb

Etymology

from Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere "to flow" — related to fluid