interlocutor

noun

in·ter·loc·u·tor ˌin-tər-ˈlä-kyə-tər

: one who takes part in dialogue or conversation

: a man in the middle of the line in a minstrel show who questions the end men and acts as leader

Did you know?

It may not necessarily be grandiloquence to use the word interlocutor in casual speech, but if your interlocutors—that is, the people with whom you are speaking—are using it, your conversation is likely a formal one. Interlocutor is one of many English words that comes from the Latin verb loqui, “to speak,” including loquacious (“talkative”), eloquent (“capable of fluent or vivid speech”), and grandiloquence (“extravagant or pompous speech”). In interlocutor, loqui was joined to inter- forming a Latin word meaning “to speak between” or “to issue an interlocutory decree.” An interlocutory decree is a judicial decision that isn’t final, or that deals with a point other than the principal subject matter of the dispute.

Examples of interlocutor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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In discussions with members of the U.S. policy community after the November election, Chinese interlocutors expressed interest in fulfilling the Phase One trade deal signed by Beijing and Washington in January 2020, which would see China purchase $200 billion worth of U.S. products. —

Yun Sun, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025 The two helped arrange a meeting between Trump and Peña Nieto that led to protests in Mexico; Videgaray resigned during the fallout, but was rehired as foreign affairs minister and Mexico’s main D.C. interlocutor after Trump’s victory. —

Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2025 Desmond gives Keiran a chance to get revenge by spilling his guts about the insurgency, but Keiran’s hate for his interlocutor stands in his way. —

Keith Phipps, Vulture, 22 Dec. 2024 If the interlocutors are wrong, the students will grow more confident in their current positions. —

Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interlocutor