diction

Noun

Meaning

Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's poems.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

phraseology style phrasing wording verbiage enunciation choice of words language modulation speech usage expression phrase delivery pronunciation
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Antonyms

greek tosh abracadabra jabber hocus-pocus newspeak
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Hypernyms

expression formulation articulation

Hyponyms

mumbling mot juste verbalization verbalisation

Related terms

dictionary dictate dictation dictum

Phrases with the word

bad diction facial diction

Examples

However well equipped our language, it can never be forearmed against all possible cases that may arise and call for description: fact is richer than diction. J. L. Austin

English people don't have very good diction. In France you have to pronounce very particularly and clearly, and learning French at an early age helped me enormously. Vivien Leigh

You know I am an actor, and I have medals for diction. Paul Robeson

When I speak, my Urdu isn't very good but when I sing I make sure there are no flaws in my diction. Lata Mangeshkar

Words fashioned with somewhat over precise diction are like shapes turned out by a cookie cutter. Peter De Vries

In order to be heard by the oppressing class, one must speak as a member of it. Not only the language, but the diction. The accusation of tyranny, however well-founded in fact, is dismissed unless it is delivered in the manner that power recognizes as powerful. Daniel Abraham

Close letter words and terms

dictatress dictatrix dictature dictional dictionally dictionalrian