oratorise

oratorise

A man oratorises to a small crowd in the park.

Definition

Verb (intransitive, humorous or pejorative): - To speak in a grand, rhetorical, or pompous manner: "oratorise" means to deliver a speech or discourse with exaggerated eloquence, often in a way that is seen as showy, bombastic, or insincere. It implies a focus on style over substance, akin to "speechifying" or "declaiming."

Usage Examples
  • (He spoke in a grand, empty way.)
  • (Stop talking in a pompous, theatrical manner.)
  • (He delivered a bombastic speech.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to oratorise at length": to speak in a grand style for a prolonged period.

    • She oratorised at length about the virtues of community service, leaving the audience bored. (She spoke pompously and at great length.)
  • "to oratorise on a subject": to deliver a rhetorical speech about a particular topic.

    • He oratorised on the importance of education, but his words were empty. (He gave a showy speech on the topic.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Oratorize (verb, alternative spelling): same meaning as "oratorise."

    • He tends to oratorize whenever he gets a microphone. (He speaks pompously.)
  • Oratorical (adj): relating to the art of public speaking, especially in a formal or grand style.

    • Her oratorical skills were impressive, but her message was unclear. (Her skill in grand speaking was notable.)
  • Orator (noun): a person who delivers speeches, especially in a skilled or eloquent way.

    • He was a famous orator in ancient Rome. (A skilled public speaker.)
Synonyms
  • Declaim: to speak or recite in a dramatic or rhetorical manner.
  • Speechify: to make a speech, especially in a boring or pompous way.
  • Rant: to speak or shout at length in an angry, impassioned way.
  • Hold forth: to speak at length about a topic, often in a self-important way.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Oratorise away: to waste time by speaking in a grand, pompous manner.
    • The committee oratorised away the entire afternoon without reaching a decision. (They wasted time with showy speeches.)
Related Idioms
  • To blow one’s own trumpet: to boast or speak about oneself in a grand way.

    • He was oratorising about his achievements, essentially blowing his own trumpet. (He was boastfully speechifying.)
  • To speak with forked tongue: to speak deceitfully or insincerely.

    • Her oratorising seemed sincere, but she was speaking with a forked tongue. (Her grand speech was dishonest.)