fluent

adjective

flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt How to pronounce fluent (audio)
1
a
: capable of flowing : fluid
powdered, granular, or fluent materials
b
: capable of moving with ease and grace
the fluent body of a dancer
2
a
: capable of using a language easily and accurately
fluent in Spanish
a fluent writer
b
: effortlessly smooth and flowing
a fluent performance
spoke in fluent English
c
: having or showing mastery of a subject or skill
fluent in math
fluently adverb

Examples of fluent in a Sentence

a fluent speaker of Chinese a very fluent speaker who always communicates his points well
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The talented artist quickly became fluent in English, found work at a pizzeria and dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Foster, who speaks fluent French, has appeared in a handful of French-language films, but Vie Privée marks her first French-language role in two decades after Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s wartime romance A Very Long Engagement in 2005. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce has a driving tour map of key historical sites, including the Chilmark library, which was the former home of the person believed to be the last fluent signer of MVSL. Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 Sep. 2025 So, Pham and other youth in the community, who were fluent in English and computer savvy, stepped up to help the older generation. Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluent

Word History

Etymology

Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere — more at fluid

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluent was in 1585

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluent. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

fluent

adjective
flu·​ent ˈflü-ənt How to pronounce fluent (audio)
1
2
a
: able to speak easily and smoothly
fluent in Spanish
b
: done in a smooth easy way
fluently adverb
Etymology

from Latin fluent-, fluens, present participle of fluere "to flow" — related to fluid

More from Merriam-Webster on fluent

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