Basic Details
Word: Eloquence
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The skill of speaking or writing clearly, gracefully and in a way that moves or persuades people.
Synonyms: fluency, expressiveness, articulacy, oratory
How to Spell Eloquence
Syllables: el - o - quence
Tricky part: The ending is quence, the same as sequence, not quance or quense. There is only one l.
Watch out for: eloquance, elloquence, eloquense, eloquents
Memory tip: Eloquence ends exactly like sequence. A sequence of well-chosen words is what eloquence is made of.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Sarojini Naidu was admired for the eloquence of her poems and speeches.
Example 2: Even in her second language, Asha wrote with surprising eloquence.
Example 3: He lacked eloquence but spoke from the heart, and people listened.
Fun Fact
It comes from Latin eloqui, to speak out. Loquacious, a word for someone who talks a lot, shares the same root.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. eloquance 2. sequence 3. consequence 4. influence
a) a result of an action
b) a set of things that follow one another in order
c) the skill of speaking or writing well and persuasively
d) the power to affect what others do
Show answer
c) the skill of speaking or writing well and persuasively. Eloquance is misspelt: the ending is quence, never quance.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to eloquence as used in the sentence:
The young lawyer argued with such eloquence that the courtroom fell silent.
a) shyness
b) clumsiness
c) fluency
d) anger
Show answer
c) fluency. Eloquence is skill and grace with words, much like fluency; clumsiness is close to its opposite.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
elloquence
a) u
b) o
c) l
d) q
Show answer
c) l. Only one l starts this word: e-lo-quence.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Eloquence is a gift for ____.
a) running fast
b) using words well
c) cooking well
d) drawing maps
Show answer
b) using words well
2. Which competition rewards eloquence most?
a) a swimming race
b) a long jump
c) a debate
d) a weightlifting event
Show answer
c) a debate
