Mellifluous vs Melodious: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
Mellifluous is about smoothness and liquid richness — the word itself almost flows, from honey (mel) and flow (fluere). Melodious simply means pleasant to listen to. All mellifluous things are melodious, but not everything melodious has that particular warm, honey-like quality. A bird can be melodious; a great orator's voice is mellifluous.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Mellifluous mean?
adjective · /mɪˈlɪfluəs/
Pleasant and musical to listen to; having a smooth, rich, sweet sound.
Explore MellifluousMellifluous in a sentence
His mellifluous baritone could have read the phone book and kept her listening.
The mellifluous sounds of the cello drifted through the open window.
What does Melodious mean?
adjective · /mɪˈləʊdɪəs/
Having or producing a pleasant musical sound; pleasantly musical; having a quality of melody and tune that is pleasing to hear.
Explore MelodiousMelodious in a sentence
She had a melodious voice that made even administrative information sound interesting.
The stream was melodious in its way — the particular sound of water over stones organized into something pleasing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Mellifluous and Melodious?
Mellifluous is about smoothness and liquid richness — the word itself almost flows, from honey (mel) and flow (fluere). Melodious simply means pleasant to listen to. All mellifluous things are melodious, but not everything melodious has that particular warm, honey-like quality. A bird can be melodious; a great orator's voice is mellifluous.
What does Mellifluous mean?
Pleasant and musical to listen to; having a smooth, rich, sweet sound.
What does Melodious mean?
Having or producing a pleasant musical sound; pleasantly musical; having a quality of melody and tune that is pleasing to hear.