Meaning & use
eloquent speaker
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Meanings
nouncountable
A person who speaks clearly, fluently, and in a way that strongly persuades or moves an audience.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an eloquent speaker' or 'eloquent speakers'.
Patterns
- an eloquent speaker on something
- a very eloquent speaker
- be known as an eloquent speaker
She was such an eloquent speaker that everyone in the room fell silent.
The senator is an eloquent speaker on issues of education and poverty.
He may not be an eloquent speaker, but his ideas are always clear and practical.
nouncountableformal
Someone who uses language in a graceful, expressive way, especially in writing or formal speeches.
Grammar: Often used with 'a' or 'an'; can be plural.
Patterns
- a naturally eloquent speaker
- one of the most eloquent speakers of his generation
The ceremony was opened by an eloquent speaker who quoted poetry from memory.
As an eloquent speaker, she could make even a budget report sound inspiring.
Word forms
| plural | eloquent speakers |
|---|
Common combinations
- a naturally eloquent speaker
- He is a naturally eloquent speaker who never seems to search for words.
- an eloquent speaker on
- She is an eloquent speaker on climate policy.
- one of the most eloquent speakers
- He is one of the most eloquent speakers in the country.
- become an eloquent speaker
- With practice, anyone can become a more eloquent speaker.
Synonyms and how they differ
- orator
- A more formal word for a skilled public speaker, often one who gives ceremonial or political speeches; 'eloquent speaker' is less formal and can describe anyone who speaks well.
- communicator
- Focuses on getting ideas across effectively, not necessarily on beauty or style of language; an eloquent speaker is specifically graceful and persuasive.
- spokesperson
- Means someone who speaks officially for a group; an eloquent speaker may or may not represent others.
Opposites
Word family
- eloquence noun
- The quality of being fluent, persuasive, and expressive in speech or writing.
- eloquently adverb
- In a fluent, persuasive, and expressive way.
- eloquent adjective
- Speaking or writing in a clear, powerful, and persuasive way.
Commonly confused: eloquent speaker or elegant speaker?
eloquent speaker vs elegant speaker
Elegant describes graceful style or appearance; eloquent is about powerful, fluent language. An elegant speaker may sound refined, but an eloquent speaker moves and persuades people.
Practice
Choose the best completion: 'She is an eloquent speaker ___ human rights.'
Choose one answer.
'Eloquent speaker on' is the standard pattern when talking about a topic: an eloquent speaker on human rights. 'In' would be used for a language or field (fluent in English), and 'at' for a skill (good at speaking), not for the subject of the speech.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “eloquent speaker”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.