loquacious

USAGE SUMMARY

"loquacious" is a valid word in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
An example sentence could be: "The loquacious old man was fond of telling stories to the children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes he would turn up drenched in the purple dye used by the army to identify rioters, and always he would be loquacious; eager for debate.

The Guardian

Wilson was loquacious, self-justifying, scornful, though anxious to please, fundamentally warm-hearted.

The Guardian

Boris Johnson himself has been loquacious on the theme and, in particular, the new style RTB.

The Guardian

The normally loquacious Mr Tufano becomes noticably more guarded when asked about the subject, replying only "it is not something I know a lot about".

The Economist

STOUT and loquacious, Khamsi Audomsi runs a roasted-banana stall in the covered market of San Kamphaeng, a small town just outside Chiang Mai, the main city of northern Thailand.

The Economist

The presiding judge interrupted one particularly long-winded answer, saying, "Please stop... Can you just answer his questions?" Even his defence attorneys maintained all his talk was just political bluster, but the jury apparently had other ideas.Today, the normally loquacious politician was without words.

The Economist

A shirtless council-flat resident flummoxed even the loquacious Mr Mellor by telling him: "I'm voting Referendum because you're a dead cert, David".One issue which will help the Tories in Putney is council tax.

The Economist

Nor does the tall, loquacious mother of three a more lively figure than any of Turkey's recent presidential spouses favour a draconian regime of the Taliban kind.

The Economist

Montana's superbly loquacious Brian Schweitzer touted low taxes and a growing energy sector: "the showhorse" trotted briskly over his opponent.

The Economist

Once the authority had spoken, it would take a brave reader to bet against his judgment and a foolish one to expend much energy scouring the faces in the photographs himself, to form his own independent opinion of their fundamental attributes.Messrs Amato, Morris and Shin worry that today's loquacious central banks play this role in the financial markets.

The Economist

Even more fundamentally, having the audience work with the actors in a common act of imagination feels right for a show that reassures that "No One is Alone".The music is performed mostly on a single piano, so Sondheim's loquacious lyrics have never been clearer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loquacious" to describe someone who enjoys talking at length and is skilled at expressing themselves, especially in formal or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "loquacious" when a simpler word like "talkative" or "chatty" would suffice. "Loquacious" suggests a more refined and sometimes excessive style of speech. If someone is just casually talkative, "loquacious" might be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loquacious" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as talkative or given to excessive conversation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to characterize individuals, such as "the loquacious Mr. Campbell."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "loquacious" functions as an adjective, describing someone who is talkative and enjoys speaking at length. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly appearing in news and media sources. While synonyms like "talkative" and "chatty" exist, "loquacious" suggests a more articulate and sometimes excessive style of speech. Therefore, it's best used in formal or literary contexts to accurately convey a person's fondness for fluent and extended conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talkative

A general term for someone who talks a lot, without necessarily implying excessive or rambling speech.

garrulous

Implies excessive talkativeness, often about trivial matters.

chatty

Suggests a friendly and informal style of talking.

voluble

Describes someone who speaks readily and fluently.

long-winded

Indicates speaking at length, often tediously.

verbose

Characterized by the use of more words than necessary.

effusive

Expressing feelings or gratitude in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

outspoken

Frank in stating one's opinions, even if controversial.

forthcoming

Willing to divulge information or express opinions.

communicative

Willing to talk to people or share information with them.

FAQs

How can I use "loquacious" in a sentence?

You can use "loquacious" to describe someone who talks a great deal, often skillfully and at length. For example: "The "loquacious professor" engaged the students with captivating stories."

What's the difference between "loquacious" and "talkative"?

"Loquacious" implies a fluent and often copious style of talking, while "talkative" simply means someone who talks a lot. "Loquacious" is generally used in more formal contexts.

What are some synonyms for "loquacious"?

Synonyms for "loquacious" include "garrulous", "voluble", and "chatty", each with slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use "loquacious"?

It's appropriate to use "loquacious" when you want to describe someone who is not only talkative but also articulate and enjoys speaking at length, often in a formal setting.