What does interlocutory mean?
Interlocutory is a formal adjective meaning connected with conversation or dialogue, especially remarks made during an exchange rather than as part of a longer prepared statement. It can also describe a legal decision that is temporary or provisional and therefore not the final resolution of a case. The best-known use is in the phrase “interlocutory injunction,” an order that temporarily restricts or requires something while a dispute continues. In less technical writing, the adjective is comparatively rare, and “interlocutory remarks” is a more literary alternative to simply saying “conversation” or “exchange.” The word is related to interlocutor, meaning a person who takes part in a dialogue. Its unusual appearance in ordinary prose often signals a formal context, but it remains useful when precision matters: it can distinguish spoken exchange from prepared or final language, and legal usage from final, binding judgment.
adjectiveRelating to or occurring during conversation or dialogue. In legal contexts, it describes an order or decision that is provisional rather than final.
- Relating to conversation or dialogue; occurring during an exchange of spoken remarks.
- In law, relating to or constituting a decision or order that is not final and may be changed before the end of the case.
"The judge issued an interlocutory order restraining the parties from publishing disputed material."
"The panelists exchanged a few interlocutory remarks while waiting for the presentation to begin."
"The court granted an interlocutory injunction that temporarily prevented the company from releasing the report."
In a courtroom, an interlocutory order can put a temporary boundary in place before the final verdict is reached.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interlocutory come from?
Interlocutory comes through English learned usage from Latin, where inter- indicates “between” and loqui means “to speak.” The related Latin verb interloqui means “to converse” or “talk between,” while forms based on loqui also underlie English words such as eloquent and loquacious. The development from this root produced the conversational sense of the adjective and, by extension, the legal use describing a decision that is made during the course of proceedings rather than at their conclusion.
How interlocutory is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon. Its conversational sense is chiefly literary or academic, while its legal sense is established terminology, especially in expressions such as “interlocutory order” and “interlocutory injunction.”
Easily confused with interlocutory
An interlocutor is a person who participates in a conversation, whereas interlocutory is an adjective describing speech, dialogue, or a provisional legal decision.
Interlocution is the act of speaking or conversing, while interlocutory is an adjective relating to conversation or a provisional legal proceeding.