diction

noun

dic·tion ˈdik-shən How to pronounce diction (audio)

: vocal expression : enunciation

: pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing

: choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

obsolete : verbal description

dictional

ˈdik-shnəl How to pronounce diction (audio)

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

dictionally

ˈdik-shnəl-ē How to pronounce diction (audio)

-shə-nᵊl-

adverb

Did you know?

When your English teacher complains about some of the words you chose to use in an essay, she's talking about your diction. She may also use the term when commenting on the word choices made by a poet, and why a particular word was the best one possible in a particular line. But the second meaning of diction is just as common, and your English teacher might use that one on you as well, especially when she's asked you to read something aloud and you mumble your way through it.

Example Sentences

He has wisely chosen to render almost all the material in what novelists and writers of creative nonfiction like to call "close third person," approximating the diction and consciousness of his characters but retaining the freedom to wander into the bigger picture.

Thomas Mallon, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009 No one is better than Didion at using flatness of affect and formality of diction to convey seething anger and disdain.

New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2001 When he sang Anatol in the world premiere of Samuel Barber's Vanessa, in 1958, Gedda's performance received high marks for impeccable diction and enunciation—in that mostly American cast, he was the only principal whose English could be understood.

Patrick J. Smith, Opera News, November 1999 The actor's diction was so poor I could hardly understand what he was saying. The student's essay was full of careless diction.

Recent Examples on the Web Yet Guido said his first love is not lyrical diction.

Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 Eric Owens brought gravitas and excellent diction to King Marke; Simon O’Neill’s harsh, steely tenor made for a very long Act 3, which is basically Tristan dying.

Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 Lola has a distinctive diction and syntax, a poignant and candid self-awareness, a natural expressiveness, and that singular actorly gift of presence.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 June 2022 Their magic called on the forces of nature and the beauty of poetic diction.

Valerie Kivelson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2022 On Friday, baritone Jack Canfield intoned them with both diction and dignity abundantly clear.

Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2022 This is a play that hurls a lot of biographical information at the audience, but Reiter's diction and delivery are impeccable and nary a word is lost.

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2022 The ensemble of observers is presented both in various group formations and, through deft shifts in point of view and diction, as distinctive voices.

The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 Pattern, structure, repetition, rhythm, meter, diction — these transmute familiar, often banal sentiments about love’s old sweet song or Nature’s wonders into heartbreaking art.

Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "word, phrase," going back to Middle English dicion "saying," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French dictyoun "word," borrowed from Latin dictiōn-, dictiō "act of speaking, speech, (in grammar) word, expression, form," from dic-, variant stem of dīcere "to talk, speak, say, utter" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns; dīcere going back to Indo-European *dei̯ḱ- "show, point out," whence also, with varying ablaut, Germanic *tīh-a- "point out" (whence Old English tēon "to accuse," Old Saxon aftīhan "to deny," Old High German zīhan "to accuse," Old Norse tjā, tēa "to show, report," Gothic gateihan "to announce, tell"), Greek deíknȳmi, deiknýnai "to show, point out," Sanskrit diśati "(s/he) shows, exhibits"

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 3

单词	dictions
释义	diction noun dic·tion ˈdik-shən 1 a : vocal expression : enunciation b : pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing 2 : choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness 3 obsolete : verbal description dictional ˈdik-shnəl -shə-nᵊl adjective dictionally ˈdik-shnəl-ē -shə-nᵊl- adverb Did you know? When your English teacher complains about some of the words you chose to use in an essay, she's talking about your diction. She may also use the term when commenting on the word choices made by a poet, and why a particular word was the best one possible in a particular line. But the second meaning of diction is just as common, and your English teacher might use that one on you as well, especially when she's asked you to read something aloud and you mumble your way through it. Synonyms articulation enunciation See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences He has wisely chosen to render almost all the material in what novelists and writers of creative nonfiction like to call "close third person," approximating the diction and consciousness of his characters but retaining the freedom to wander into the bigger picture. Thomas Mallon, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009 No one is better than Didion at using flatness of affect and formality of diction to convey seething anger and disdain. New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2001 When he sang Anatol in the world premiere of Samuel Barber's Vanessa, in 1958, Gedda's performance received high marks for impeccable diction and enunciation—in that mostly American cast, he was the only principal whose English could be understood. Patrick J. Smith, Opera News, November 1999 The actor's diction was so poor I could hardly understand what he was saying. The student's essay was full of careless diction. Recent Examples on the Web Yet Guido said his first love is not lyrical diction. Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 Eric Owens brought gravitas and excellent diction to King Marke; Simon O’Neill’s harsh, steely tenor made for a very long Act 3, which is basically Tristan dying. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 Lola has a distinctive diction and syntax, a poignant and candid self-awareness, a natural expressiveness, and that singular actorly gift of presence. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 June 2022 Their magic called on the forces of nature and the beauty of poetic diction. Valerie Kivelson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2022 On Friday, baritone Jack Canfield intoned them with both diction and dignity abundantly clear. Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2022 This is a play that hurls a lot of biographical information at the audience, but Reiter's diction and delivery are impeccable and nary a word is lost. Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2022 The ensemble of observers is presented both in various group formations and, through deft shifts in point of view and diction, as distinctive voices. The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 Pattern, structure, repetition, rhythm, meter, diction — these transmute familiar, often banal sentiments about love’s old sweet song or Nature’s wonders into heartbreaking art. Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology earlier, "word, phrase," going back to Middle English dicion "saying," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French dictyoun "word," borrowed from Latin dictiōn-, dictiō "act of speaking, speech, (in grammar) word, expression, form," from dic-, variant stem of dīcere "to talk, speak, say, utter" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns; dīcere going back to Indo-European dei̯ḱ- "show, point out," whence also, with varying ablaut, Germanic tīh-a- "point out" (whence Old English tēon "to accuse," Old Saxon aftīhan "to deny," Old High German zīhan "to accuse," Old Norse tjā, tēa "to show, report," Gothic gateihan "to announce, tell"), Greek deíknȳmi, deiknýnai "to show, point out," Sanskrit diśati "(s/he) shows, exhibits" First Known Use 1581, in the meaning defined at sense 3 Kids Definition diction noun dic·tion ˈdik-shən 1 : choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, and effectiveness 2 : the ability to say words dictions noun plural of diction 1 as in enunciations the clear and accurate pronunciation of words especially in public speaking Shakespearean actors with very good diction Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance enunciations articulations speeches utterances expressions elocution wordings 2 as in formulations the way in which something is put into words the spare diction that is the hallmark of the poetry of Robert Frost Synonyms & Similar Words formulations languages wordings phrasings phraseologies enunciations phrases locutions speeches expressions verbiages utterances voices styles
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diction

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun