Added 9 October 2026
rhetoric
/ˈɹɛtəɹɪk/ noun
Latin root: rhētorica Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rhetoric at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Using language effectively to please or persuade.
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High-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation.
the grandiosity of his prose
-
Loud and confused and empty talk.
mere rhetoric
Origin
Ancient Greek ῥητορῐκή τέχνη (rhētorĭkḗ tékhnē)ellip. Inherited from Middle English rhetorik, rhetoric, borrowed from Old French rhetorique, borrowed from Latin rhētorica, borrowed from Ancient Greek ῥητορικὴ (rhētorikḕ), ellipsis of ῥητορῐκή τέχνη (rhētorĭkḗ tékhnē).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)