rhetoric
- 1The skill of using words well, especially in speeches, to convince people.
Like learning the best words to use so people will listen to you and agree.
She studied rhetoric to become a better public speaker.
Good rhetoric can help you win an argument with calm, clear words.
Similaroratory, eloquence, persuasion
Note
- 2Empty words with a fancy style, meant to impress but with no real meaning.
Like a gift box wrapped beautifully but empty inside.
His speech was just empty rhetoric and never told us what he would do.
Voters grew tired of the rhetoric and asked for real plans.
UsageSay empty rhetoric for words with no real plan behind them.
Similarbombast, grandiloquence, verbiage, hyperbole, bluster
- 3Relating to rhetoric, the art of using words to persuade.
Similarrhetorical
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Origins
It came through Middle English and Latin from an Ancient Greek word, which was made from 'rhētōr' (public speaker) plus the suffix '-ikos'.
It came through Middle English, Old French, and Latin from an Ancient Greek word meaning 'the art of public speaking'. That came from a word for a public speaker.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- The word passed through Latin, Old French, and Middle English from Ancient Greek. en.wiktionary.org
- The Greek expression means the art of public speaking. orbi.uliege.be
- The Greek word ultimately derives from a word meaning public speaker. en.wikipedia.org