loquacious
What does "loquacious" mean?
Loquacious describes someone who is excessively talkative or wordy. The mental image is of a person who simply cannot stop the flow of words, often to the point of being tiresome or distracting to others. While it is a synonym for "talkative," it carries a more formal and slightly critical connotation. It is best used in writing or sophisticated conversation to describe someone whose speech is fluent and continuous, perhaps even stream-of-consciousness, rather than just chatty.
"loquacious" in conversation
Office meeting
I thought the new hire would be quiet, but he’s incredibly loquacious.
I thought the new hire would be quiet, but he’s incredibly loquacious.
Tell me about it! I spent twenty minutes just trying to get him to stop talking about his cat.
Tell me about it! I spent twenty minutes just trying to get him to stop talking about his cat.
Used to highlight frustration with someone's inability to stop speaking.
Literature discussion
The protagonist is depicted as a loquacious traveler who narrates his life story to strangers.
The protagonist is depicted as a loquacious traveler who narrates his life story to strangers.
Does his talkativeness serve a purpose, or is it just a personality trait?
Does his talkativeness serve a purpose, or is it just a personality trait?
Used in an analytical, academic context.
"loquacious" in a sentence
The loquacious guest kept the host awake until dawn.
The loquacious guest kept the host awake until dawn.
She found his loquacious nature charming at first, but it became exhausting after a week.
She found his loquacious nature charming at first, but it became exhausting after a week.
Despite the loquacious testimony of the witness, the judge struggled to find any relevant facts in the long-winded account.
Despite the loquacious testimony of the witness, the judge struggled to find any relevant facts in the long-winded account.
