fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt 

1

a

: capable of flowing : fluid

powered, 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

My grandmother was fluent in the Hawaiian language. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Some of us are fluent in Kreyòl, and some of us only know slips of our mother tongue. —Michelle Weber, Longreads, 13 Dec. 2024

Gomez, who is not fluent in Spanish, speaks and sings the language as her character Jessi del Monte in the film. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2024

Luca Guadagnino, who serves as jury president of the Marrakech Film Festival, spoke in fluent French about his North African heritage during the opening gala ceremony on Friday. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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