voluble

adjective

vol·​u·​ble ˈväl-yə-bəl How to pronounce voluble (audio)
1
: easily rolling or turning : rotating
2
: characterized by ready or rapid speech : glib, fluent
volubility noun
volubleness noun
volubly adverb

Did you know?

Voluble traces back to Latin volvere, meaning "to set in a circular course" or "to cause to roll." English rolled with that meaning, using voluble as an adjective to describe things easily rolling, changing, or turning, and later added the meaning of Latin volūbilis, which implies readily flowing speech. Today, voluble most often describes an individual who speaks easily and often.

Choose the Right Synonym for voluble

talkative, loquacious, garrulous, voluble mean given to talk or talking.

talkative may imply a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation.

a talkative neighbor

loquacious suggests the power of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly.

a loquacious spokesperson

garrulous implies prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity.

garrulous traveling companions

voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity.

a voluble raconteur

Examples of voluble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Well, that’s not exactly true — Carney, the voluble drummer, is actually rather famous for running his mouth. Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 At the trophy ceremony that followed the match, Zheng, who has now entered the WTA’s top 10 for the first time, graciously congratulated Sabalenka before thanking her own team (and the voluble crowd in Melbourne) for their support. Vogue, 27 Jan. 2024 But even while just watching the proceedings, the voluble ex-president and current Republican front-runner hasn’t checked his contempt for the case. Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2024 Orange brings back the characters from the first book, where narration duties rotated among a cast of voluble and charming junkies, Internet and food addicts, criminals and aspiring criminals, deadbeat dads, dying mothers. Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 For most of his tenure, he was overshadowed by the voluble General Milley, whose term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff expired on Oct. 1. Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023 In reading the four memoirs in succession, silence becomes the undercurrent that tugs at a voluble, demonstrative family brand. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2023 Despite voluble threats by disgruntled users to move to alternative platforms – Mastadon, BlueSky or Meta’s new rival to Mr. Musk’s, Threads – none of them have yet reached the critical mass to replicate the public exposure that X offers. Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023 Iran has expressed voluble support for Hamas since the war began. Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'voluble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English volible, voluble "able to turn, changing," borrowed from Latin volūbilis "turning on its axis, rolling, flowing, (of speech) readily flowing, fluent," from volū-, variant stem of volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at wallow entry 1, -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voluble was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near voluble

Cite this Entry

“Voluble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluble. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

voluble

adjective
vol·​u·​ble ˈväl-yə-bəl How to pronounce voluble (audio)
: having a smooth and fast flow of words in speaking
volubility noun
volubly adverb

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