Elocution
noun /ˌel.əˈkjuː.ʃən/ — The skill of clear and expressive speech
Definition
The skill of clear and expressive speech — the management of voice, tone, rhythm, and delivery in public speaking or performance. The art of how words are delivered, as distinct from what is said.
Beyond the definition
The craft of the voice. Good elocution is what makes the same words sound different depending on who speaks them — the presence of the speaker made audible.
Origin & history
From Latin 'elocutio' (expression, diction) — from 'eloqui' (to speak out) — 'e' (out) + 'loqui' (to speak). The speaking-out — what emerges when you open your mouth with intention.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Victorian elocution manuals were obsessed with 'proper' pronunciation — which was largely a class exercise dressed as education.
Her elocution was not trained but natural — the words arrived with exactly the right weight and spacing.
Elocution is different from eloquence: elocution is about delivery; eloquence is about the power of what is delivered.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Elocution” when the meaning fits your context: The skill of clear and expressive speech — the management of voice, tone, rhythm, and delivery in public speaking or performance. The art of how words are delivered, as distinct from what is said.
Synonyms
diction, oratory, delivery, pronunciation, enunciation
Antonyms
mumbling, inarticulateness
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Orator Commanding the Stage
An orator stands on a stage with arms outstretched, their body and expression conveying confident, managed delivery.
The control over gesture, intensity, and command of the space reflects the art of elocution, managing the delivery of speech to create an impact on an audience.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Elocution" mean?
Elocution is noun meaning: The skill of clear and expressive speech. The skill of clear and expressive speech — the management of voice, tone, rhythm, and delivery in public speaking or performance. The art of how words are delivered, as distinct from what is said.
Where does the word "Elocution" come from?
From Latin 'elocutio' (expression, diction) — from 'eloqui' (to speak out) — 'e' (out) + 'loqui' (to speak). The speaking-out — what emerges when you open your mouth with intention.