What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
well-spoken
Example
She is a well-spoken public speaker, able to captivate her audience with her words. [well-spoken: adjective]
Example
He is well-spoken in English, despite it not being his first language. [well-spoken: adjective]
fluent
Example
She is fluent in Spanish, having lived in Spain for several years. [fluent: adjective]
Example
He speaks English fluently, despite it not being his native language. [fluently: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluent is more commonly used than well-spoken in everyday language. Fluent is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while well-spoken is less common and often used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between well-spoken and fluent?
Well-spoken is typically associated with a formal or professional tone, while fluent can be used in both formal and informal contexts.