What does loquacity mean?
Loquacity is a formal word for talkativeness, particularly the excessive or tiresome habit of speaking at length. It often implies that quantity of speech is crowding out clarity, relevance, or opportunity for others to participate. The term is commonly used to criticize public speakers, politicians, acquaintances, or groups whose conversation becomes burdensome, although it can sometimes describe abundant speech without conveying outright hostility. Loquacity differs from eloquence: eloquence concerns the fluency, precision, or persuasiveness of speech, whereas loquacity primarily concerns how much someone talks. Its tone is literary and generally more disapproving than the more neutral phrase “talkativeness.” The word is useful because it captures a specific social problem—the excess of words—not merely the positive ability to speak well. Its Latin roots also connect it with related English words such as loquacious and eloquent.
nounTalkativeness, especially an excessive or tiresome readiness to talk. The word can also refer more neutrally to the quality of speaking freely and at length.
- The quality or habit of talking at length, especially excessively or tiresomely.
"His loquacity turned a brief introduction into a twenty-minute speech."
"His loquacity turned a brief introduction into a twenty-minute speech."
"The minister's loquacity obscured an argument that could have been made in a few clear sentences."
The plural is grammatically standard but uncommon; the singular is normally preferred.
"The CEO's loquacities made the short meeting feel unnecessarily long."
Loquacity turns the Latin root for “to speak” into a label for talking too much.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does loquacity come from?
Loquacity entered English in the early 17th century from Latin loquacitas, meaning “talkativeness,” formed from loquax, meaning “talkative,” which derives from loqui, “to speak.” The same Latin root produced cognates including loquacious and eloquent. English elocution also reflects the related Latin verb eloqui, meaning “to speak out.”
Related word forms
How loquacity is actually used
The word is formal and often mildly disapproving. It is especially appropriate when the amount of speech is excessive, irrelevant, or burdensome rather than simply enthusiastic.
Easily confused with loquacity
Loquacity is a noun meaning talkativeness, while loquacious is an adjective describing a person or thing that is talkative.