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fluently

fluently

13 3.0
Speak or write smoothly, easily, and correctly
  • adverb
  • /ˈfluːəntli/
translation icon : con fluidez
  • Results showed that Spanish-speaking ELLs read less fluently on English passages than general education students across grades and testing periods.
  • speak fluently
  • read fluently
  • write fluently

He couldn't speak Italian, but he read French and German fluently and spoke them pretty damn well.

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Examples

  • Reporting that he now speaks and writes English fluently, he suggests that even a short-term visiting appointment would do.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Jake, you speak Russian fluently.

  • Did you know that I speak four languages fluently?

  • I speak Hebrew fluently and I speak French.

  • Her native language was Portuguese; however, she also spoke English and Spanish fluently.

    Academic text (2015)
  • All three spoke Spanish fluently; two were also fluent English speakers.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Some students have indicated that they were able to express ideas more fluently when speaking aloud.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The King spoke Arabic fluently and employed many Islamic poets, scholars, architects and scientists in his court.

  • The elders told stories of their parents, aunties, and uncles who spoke the language fluently in their homes growing up.

    Academic text (2016)
  • I can read and write in Mandarin fluently, which helps me communicate well with my colleagues.

Synonyms

articulately
vsfluently
4 4.9

In a clear, fluent way that makes ideas easy to understand

is smooth effortless and accurate in language use rather than simply clear
proficiently
vsfluently
2 5.1

To do something with skill and confidence

is smooth effortless and accurate emphasizing ease more than general skill

Antonyms

38 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

3 7.4

In a slow, unsure way with pauses

How Fluent

effortlessly
30 3.1
smoothly
173 2.3
fluently
13 3.0
hesitantly
14 3.2
haltingly
3 7.4

Surface Forms

fluently positive
fluenter comparative
fluentest superlative

Morphology

fluently = fluent (transparent) = fluent + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'fluent'; the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Fluently comes from the Latin root flu- meaning 'to flow' and is the same root in flow and fluid. So to speak fluently is to speak with a smooth, easy 'flow' like water, without stopping.