What does logorrhoea mean?
Logorrhoea means excessive or uncontrollable talk, especially a sustained flow of words that is difficult or impossible to interrupt. The term is often critical rather than complimentary: calling someone's speech logorrhoeic suggests that they are talking too much, too quickly, or with insufficient attention to others. It can also have a neutral medical or descriptive use, referring to unusually abundant verbal expression as a symptom or observed behaviour. Although the word is related to ordinary speech and conversation, its defining feature is excess rather than eloquence. It is especially useful when describing verbal behaviour that overwhelms a listener or dominates an exchange. The British spelling is logorrhoea, while logorrhea is standard in American English.
nounExcessive, often uncontrollable talk; a torrent of words. It can also refer to unusually rapid or abundant verbal expression.
- Excessive, prolonged, or uncontrollable talking.
- A rapid, abundant, or seemingly unstoppable flow of words.
"The discussion dissolved into logorrhoea as neither speaker allowed the other to finish a sentence."
"After dinner, his tired friends endured an hour of enthusiastic logorrhoea."
"The patient's logorrhoea subsided as the medication took effect."
Usually treated as a countable noun when referring to distinct outbreaks or episodes of excessive talk; the plural is less common in general use.
"The therapist worked to reduce the patient's episodes of logorrhoeas."
Its name literally means “flow of words”: Greek logos, “word” or “speech,” combined with a source meaning “flow.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does logorrhoea come from?
The word was formed from Greek roots associated with logos, meaning “word” or “speech,” and a term meaning “flow,” giving the literal sense “flow of words.” It entered English through learned vocabulary influenced by ancient Greek compounds. Modern cognates such as dialogue, epilogue, monologue, and logic preserve the same Greek element relating to speech or discourse.
Related word forms
How logorrhoea is actually used
Usually disapproving, especially when describing someone who talks at great length without giving others a chance to contribute. It may be used neutrally in clinical or linguistic discussion. The spelling is “logorrhea” in US usage.