Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

Writing or speech style

delivery

noun

the way in which someone speaks in public

diction

noun

the choice of words used in a speech or piece of writing

flow

noun

a way of talking or thinking in an easy natural way, without any pauses or difficulties

fluency

noun

a clear and confident way of expressing yourself without seeming to make an effort

formality

noun

formal style of writing, behaving etc

formulation

noun

the way that an idea or opinion is expressed in words

fustian

noun

a speech or piece of writing that sounds impressive but is unimportant

gymnastics

noun

clever arguments or use of language

idiolect

noun

one person’s individual way of speaking or writing a language

monotone

noun

a way of talking that is boring because your voice does not change in loudness or become higher or lower

note

noun

a way of speaking or writing that shows what someone’s feelings are

oratory

noun

the skill of making effective and impressive public speeches

oratory

noun

complicated formal language

parlance

noun

a way of speaking or using words

pleonasm

noun

the use of more words than are necessary to say something

polemic

noun

the practice or skill of making strong statements of opinion, especially negative opinion

preciousness

noun

a way of speaking that does not sound natural because the person speaking is trying too hard to sound perfect

rhetoric

noun

a style of speaking or writing that is intended to influence people

rhetoric

noun

a style of speaking or writing that is intended to impress people but is not honest

rhetoric

noun

the art of using language in a way that is effective or that influences people

rhetorician

noun

someone who speaks and writes effectively, especially someone who is able to persuade or influence people

sensationalism

noun

a way of writing or talking about events that makes them seem as exciting or shocking as possible

sloganeering

noun

the use of slogans, especially by politicians who want to communicate a simple message that people will remember

spin

noun

a way of presenting information, especially a way that makes something seem good or less bad

talk

noun

a style of talking used by a particular group of people

tone

noun

the general attitude shown by a piece of writing

tongue

noun

a particular way of speaking or writing

verbiage

noun

written or spoken language that is long, boring, and unnecessary

eloquence

noun

grandiloquence

noun

incoherence

noun

portentousness

noun

verbosity

noun

volubility

noun

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog