It’s very impressive when someone has a broad vocabulary and can weave together a compelling sentence. But is there a single word to describe the talented linguists of the world?
In this article, we’ll discuss what to call someone who is very good with words.
In fact, we’ll provide a list of common and niche phrases that do just that!
Words for Someone Who Is Good With Words
- Eloquent
- Articulate
- Fluent
- Logodaedalus
- Silver-tongue
- Well-spoken
- Cogent
- Persuasive
- Effective communicator
- Expressive
- Good orator
- Coherent
- Lucid
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- If someone can use words to move and inspire others, they are “eloquent.”
- An “articulate” person can express their thoughts very clearly and efficiently.
- A person is “fluent” if they can express themselves in a clear and comprehensible manner.
Before you go! In the next section, we’ll discuss three great words that you can use to describe someone who knows their way around their language.
We’ll even show you a few example sentences using each of them!
Eloquent
The Cambridge Dictionary defines “eloquent” as “using language to express ideas or opinions clearly and well, so that they have a strong effect on others.”
Thus, it is a word for having a good vocabulary and using it to form compelling speech.
Therefore, someone who has a way with words can be described as “eloquent,” especially if their way of speaking tends to move or inspire other people.
This term has rather positive connotations, so you can use it when you intend to be complimentary about a person’s use of language.
Consider the following examples:
Sandra is a very eloquent young lady, and I would recommend that she join the debate team at our school.
That was a very eloquent speech, but I’m not sure if everyone in the room was persuaded.
Articulate
According to Merriam-Webster, “articulate” is defined as “expressing oneself readily, clearly, and effectively.” You can use this term as both a verb and an adjective.
Therefore, someone who is clever with words and able to express their thoughts in a very comprehensible way can be called “articulate.” Moreover, you can say that they are able to “articulate” their thoughts well.
This term has fairly positive connotations. In fact, an “articulate” person is usually someone who will pursue public speaking or other communication roles at work.
They may not use as much flowery language as someone who is “eloquent.” However, an “articulate” person will get their point across very efficiently.
Therefore, let’s see this term in a couple of examples:
He has always been able to articulate his standpoint better than the rest of us, and that makes it difficult to disagree with him.
She is a highly articulate speaker, and I have no doubt that she will serve as a very valuable advocate for your cause.
Fluent
A far simpler word for someone who expresses themselves well is “fluent.”
Merriam-Webster defines the word “fluent” as “capable of using a language easily and accurately.” However, it also defines “fluent” as “capable of flowing” and “capable of moving with ease and grace.”
Therefore, the word “fluent” has rather distinct connotations compared to the two words above. Namely, fluency does not refer to a person’s capacity to use flowery and formal language in a moving or efficient way.
Rather, it simply refers to a person’s ability to articulate themselves plainly and simply and for other people to easily comprehend what they are saying.
In short, it doesn’t refer to someone’s ability to convince people, but their ability to be understood.
See the examples below:
He was born in South Korea, but he is a fluent English speaker.
I am fluent in French and Italian.