2

What do you call a guy who talks so elegantly, when he talks he knows what he is saying; he takes care of each word out of his mouth, his words shows his high personality etc ... and what would be the adjective for such words said? e.g. "thoughtfully put", " elegantly said" etc ..

| improve this question | |
  • 6
    The word is 'articulate' – Mitch Mar 27 '15 at 17:48
  • 2
    Just call him a carefully-spoken man. Note there can be a difference between "elegant" speech (from articulate/poetic speakers) and "careful, thoughtful" (from cautious speakers, presidents, etc., who might think carefully before using "weasel words"). – FumbleFingers Mar 27 '15 at 18:25
  • 2
    Carefully-spoken seems too wordy, especially when several single-word answers abound. – Jimi Oke Mar 27 '15 at 18:50
  • 1
    ¿n ƃuᴉʇɹʍ dʇs zןd n pɔ? – tchrist♦ Mar 27 '15 at 19:03
  • 1
    You can say he speaks deliberately. – Dan Bron Mar 27 '15 at 19:15
6

I'm not sure there is a single word which would capture all the nuances which you are after. Precise probably comes close, but has overtones of pedantry (which I think you don't want). Some combination of precise, articulate and sensitive might be what you are after. I would agree with you that eloquence probably veers more into the realm of artistry-with-words than you would like.

| improve this answer | |
  • can I say, the guy is precise or a precise guy ..never heard it .. – Tanvir Mar 27 '15 at 18:23
  • Of course, you can say someone is/was precise, with regard to their speech or delivery, etc. – Jimi Oke Mar 27 '15 at 18:50
  • 4
    +1 for articulate. In my opinion, there is no need to combine with precise and sensitive. Articulate has a strong connotation of precise. The etymology of articulate might shed some light on its particular strength for this application. – ScotM Mar 27 '15 at 23:18
1

I'll be offering a fastidious speaker

Garner on Language and Writing: Selected Essays and ... - Page 516 Bryan A. Garner - 2009

To select one of several examples, in the days when aggravate was first coming to be widely used for "irritate, annoy," the fastidious speaker or writer could either combat the word's debasement and use it correctly or seek refuge in exacerbate.

as well as an*l (sorry, but ...)

Also, more positive:

Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life Nicholas Phillipson - 2010

... thus bestows upon the whole species those names which it had been taught to apply to two individuals.' In the same way we say of a great orator that he is a Cicero or a great scientist that he is a Newton.

| improve this answer | |
  • 2
    Fastidious has a negative connotation which OP , apparently, is not looking for!! – user66974 Mar 27 '15 at 19:01
  • An elegant speaker seems more likely to have an oral rather than an anal fixation ;-) – ScotM Mar 27 '15 at 23:23
1

silver-tongued adjective: marked by convincing and eloquent expression “a silver–tongued politician”; see, Merriam-Webster silver-tongued

| improve this answer | |
1

I like laconic. A laconic person's speech could be described as concise, fastidious, precise, or my personal favorite, economical.

(Of course, you could bellow, "This! Is! Laconia!" if you wanted to make an obscure joke.)

| improve this answer | |
1

circumspect (adj.)-thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something. (Merriam-Webster.com)

| improve this answer | |
0

I would describe him as well-spoken

If I were describing his speech I would use definite/definitive or lucid/clear

| improve this answer | |

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.