Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to elocution: Pertaining to the skill or style of clear and expressive speech, especially in public speaking or performance.
   • Overly embellished in style: Describing a manner of speaking that is excessively ornate, artificial, or affected in its delivery.

Examples of Usage

• Relating to elocution:

  • She took elocutionary lessons to improve her public speaking.
  • The actor's elocutionary technique was praised for its clarity and power.

• Overly embellished in style:

  • His elocutionary delivery, full of dramatic pauses and flourishes, felt unnatural to the audience.
  • The politician's speech was criticized for its elocutionary excess, prioritizing style over substance.

Advanced Usage

• "Elocutionary art": The craft or skill of effective public speaking.

  • He studied the elocutionary art to become a more persuasive orator.

• "Elocutionary effect": The impact created by a particular style of speech delivery.

  • The poem's meaning was lost due to the reader's exaggerated elocutionary effect.

Variants and Related Words

• Elocution (n): The skill of clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation.

  • Her elocution was so perfect that every word was understood.

• Elocutionist (n): A person who is skilled in or teaches elocution.

  • The famous elocutionist coached many actors and public speakers.

Synonyms

• Oratorical: Relating to the art of public speaking.
• Declamatory: Vehement or rhetorical in style; intended for effect.
• Affected: Artificial, pretentious, or designed to impress.

Antonyms

• Colloquial: Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
• Natural: Free from affectation or artificiality.
• Unadorned: Plain; not decorated or embellished.

Adjective

1. (used of style of speaking) overly embellished
   • an elocutionary Oxonian delivery
2. of or relating to elocution
   • elocutionary recitals