What does perorate mean?
Perorate means to speak at length, especially in a formal, elaborate, or repetitive manner. The word is commonly used with criticism: someone who perorates may be dominating a discussion, offering an unnecessarily detailed explanation, or continuing to talk after the main point has been made. It can occasionally be neutral or even approving in literary contexts, but its usual implication is that the speech is excessive. The verb is often paired with phrases such as “perorate at length,” “perorate about,” and “perorate on a subject.” Compared with “orate,” which suggests delivering a formal speech, “perorate” more strongly highlights duration and verbosity. It is a useful word for describing extended speech that is difficult, tedious, or disproportionate to its subject.
verbTo speak at length, especially in a formal or excessively elaborate way. It often implies that the speech is tedious or overly elaborate.
- To speak at length, especially in a formal, elaborate, or tedious manner.
"The minister perorated for nearly an hour without making a single practical proposal."
"The professor perorated on the history of the novel while half the audience dozed."
"Rather than answer the question, he launched into a lengthy peroration about bureaucracy."
Perorate derives from Latin for “to speak at length,” so the word practically announces its own tendency to go on.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does perorate come from?
The verb comes from Latin perorari, meaning “to speak at length” or “to harangue.” It is related to orare, “to speak or pray,” which also underlies oration and orator. English borrowed the word in the early 17th century, initially in the sense of speaking formally or at length; its modern critical sense developed from the idea of talking excessively.
Related word forms
How perorate is actually used
This is a formal and somewhat literary verb. It is usually mildly critical, suggesting that someone is speaking too long or at unnecessary length; it can also be used more neutrally in formal writing.
Easily confused with perorate
To orate is to deliver a formal speech, often with skill and dignity, whereas to perorate usually suggests speaking at excessive length.