well-spoken

adjective

well-spo·​ken ˈwel-ˈspō-kən How to pronounce well-spoken (audio)
1
: speaking well, fitly, or courteously
a well-spoken young woman
2
: spoken with propriety
well-spoken words

Examples of well-spoken in a Sentence

a well-spoken advocate for the legal rights of the underprivileged
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.
In many such films, Naveen (Karan Soni) would be the most desirable of matches for a female protagonist: good-looking, well-spoken and a working doctor. Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024 These kids are kind, well-spoken, talented and clever. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2023 Shotwell is a former high school cheerleader who is trained as an engineer but lacks their nerdiness, instead she has been described as smooth and well-spoken. Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of well-spoken was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near well-spoken

Cite this Entry

“Well-spoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-spoken. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

well-spoken

adjective
well-spo·​ken
-ˈspō-kən
1
: having a good command of language : speaking well and especially courteously
2
: spoken in a fitting and proper manner
well-spoken words

More from Merriam-Webster on well-spoken

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