voluble

adjective

vol·​u·​ble ˈväl-yə-bəl 

1

: easily rolling or turning : rotating

2

: characterized by ready or rapid speech : glib, fluent

volubility

ˌväl-yə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

volubleness

ˈväl-yə-bəl-nəs 

noun

volubly

ˈväl-yə-blē 

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

In Tuesday night's presidential debate, while former President Donald Trump delivered voluble answers often looking and sounding angry, Vice President Harris’ face was doing a lot of work. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Sep. 2024

In all three cases, I’ve been surrounded by two very different types of people: voluble area experts versed in local geology and ecology, and tourists eager to learn from them. —Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 6 Aug. 2024

The clamor by Trump's allies is in stark contrast with the unusual silence from the normally voluble former president. —Nathan Layne, Tim Reid, USA TODAY, 4 July 2024

Trump, who attempted to deliver a less voluble and defiant performance than past debates, based many of his answers around falsehoods that went unchallenged by the debate moderators. —Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 28 June 2024

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

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Kids Definition

voluble

adjective

vol·​u·​ble ˈväl-yə-bəl 

: having a smooth and fast flow of words in speaking

volubility

ˌväl-yə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

volubly

ˈväl-yə-blē 

adverb