fluent
FLOO-uhnt
/ˈfluːənt/
Able to express oneself easily and articulately; (of a foreign language) spoken accurately and with ease.
Fluency doesn't mean perfection; it means the 'flow' of speech is not interrupted by searching for words.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'fluere,' meaning 'to flow.' Just as water flows smoothly in a river, a fluent speaker's words flow without obstruction.
Word relationships
- articulate: Articulate focuses on the clarity and effectiveness of speech, while fluent focuses on the speed and ease.
- hesitant: Pausing frequently due to lack of confidence or knowledge.
Commonly confused with
- proficient: Proficient implies a high level of skill/knowledge, while fluent specifically implies a smooth flow of speech.
Word family
- fluency (noun): The quality or condition of being fluent.
- fluently (adverb): In a fluent manner.
Collocations
- fluent speaker
- become fluent
- fluent in a language
Example sentences
- "The candidate must be fluent in both English and Mandarin to manage our international accounts." A job requirement description.
- "After living in Paris for three years, she became remarkably fluent in French." Describing a natural speaker.
Memory hook
Fluent sounds like 'Fluid.' If you are fluent, your speech is fluid and smooth. Words that flow like fluid.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe a beginner who just knows a few phrases.
Fun facts
- You can be 'fluent' in things other than language, such as being fluent in mathematics or a computer programming language.
Explore more words
fluency, eloquence, eloquent, articulate, proficiency, voluble
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