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.
Chancellor Merz, who is fluent in English, skillfully kept the conversation with President Trump focused on areas of agreement. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 Describing the visual images of the iconic Southern California trees was important for Mauricio, who is trying to continually talk to his teammates, coaches and even the media in English to become fluent and conversational. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025 Puro-Steele is a dual Spanish-British national and fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 May 2025 My Polish-American father, who holds a Ph.D. in East Asian History, speaks fluent Japanese and can probably give you an on-the-spot genealogy of the Tokugawa shogunate, can’t stand the stuff. Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 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 15 Jun. 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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