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Glite Dictionary
silver-tongued

silver-tongued

4 7.9
Able to speak in a way that charms and persuades people
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɪlvərˌtʌŋd/
: elocuente
  • The politician's silver-tongued speech won over many skeptical voters.
  • a silver-tongued devil

Tread very carefully when someone is larger than life, or intoxicating, or seductive or oso silver tongued.

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Examples

  • Everyone was captivated by the silver-tongued orator as he shared his vision for the future.

  • Her silver-tongued charm made it easy for her to negotiate a better deal.

  • - You ARE a silver-tongued devil.

    Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

  • Hanging around silver-tongued creative writing students, I watched what I said and how I said it.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Perhaps you could fix the situation in Syria with your silver-tongued diplomacy.

    Blog text (11)

  • - You're a silver-tongued charmer.

    Belfast (2021)

  • You're quite the silver-tongued devil, aren't you?

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Occasionally, silver-tongued lawyers used to swaying juries venture to the court.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

eloquent
vssilver-tongued
60 6.3

To speak or write clearly so people pay attention

leans toward charming persuasion rather than straightforward sincere expression
glib
vssilver-tongued
24 7.9

Being smooth and confident when talking but not honest

aims to charm and convince sincerely rather than sound superficial
facile
vssilver-tongued
3 7.8

To speak or write easily and clearly

relies more on charm and persuasion than mere ease of expression
smooth-tongued
vssilver-tongued
1 8.3

Someone who persuades people using clever, dishonest talk

targets genuine charm and convincing power, not only clever insincerity
smooth-spoken
vssilver-tongued
1 6.8

A person who speaks in a calm, charming way to persuade others

uses charm to persuade rather than only clear speech
glib-tongued
vssilver-tongued
1 8.6

Someone who speaks smoothly and convincingly but does not seem honest

charms or convinces with genuine-seeming warmth rather than shallow talk

Antonyms

unconvincing
10 5.1

Failing to make someone believe what you say

inarticulate
9 7.4

Not able to speak clearly or find the right words

How Persuasive

silver-tongued
4 7.9
persuasive
100 3.9
eloquent
60 6.3
articulate
70 4.6
fluent
6 2.8

Surface Forms

silver-tongued positive

Morphology

silver-tongued = silver tongue (semi-transparent) = silver + tongue + ed

The adjective is formed from the noun phrase 'silver tongue' + the adjectival '-ed'; the components are clear but the meaning is metaphorical/idiomatic.

Etymology

Silver-tongued comes from the picture of silver as 'shiny' and valuable and the tongue as 'speech', so it suggests words that sparkle and attract people. That's why a silver-tongued person speaks smoothly and can easily convince others.