Fluent

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈfluːənt/
• Rhymes: -ÊŠÉ™nt

Origin

From Latin fluens ("flowing").

Full definition of fluent

Adjective

1. That flows; flowing, liquid.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12:For time is a fleeting thing, and which appeareth as in a shadow, with the matter ever gliding, alwaies fluent, without ever being stable or permanent ....
2. (linguistics) Able to speak a language accurately, rapidly, and confidently – in a flowing way.

Usage notes

In casual use, “fluency” refers to language proficiency broadly, while in narrow use it refers to speaking a language flowingly, rather than haltingly.

Related terms

• fluency
• fluently

Anagrams

• unfelt