Diction Meaning
/ˈdɪk.ʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounChoice and use of words, especially with regard to effective communication.
nounThe effectiveness and degree of clarity of word choice and expression.
Sentence Examples
Informal diction is always full of mystery and surrealism.
You need to improve your diction. You really are very hard to understand.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The actor's clear ____ made every word in the theater audible.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Informal ____ is always full of mystery and surrealism.
Word Origin & History
From late Middle English diccion (“something said; a word or phrase”) (an obsolete sense in Modern English), borrowed directly from Latin dictiō (“a saying, speaking, uttering”) or from Old French dicïon (“word”) (Anglo-Norman dictyoun), from Late Latin dictiō (“word”), both from dīcō (“to say, to talk”) + -tiō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ- (“to show, to point out”). The modern senses of “choice and use of words” and “clarity of word choice” were likely influenced by additional senses of dictiō.
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The actor's clear ____ made every word in the theater audible.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Informal ____ is always full of mystery and surrealism.