WordValediction
a writer's choice of words and style of expression
In more detail
1. (noun) a person's choice and use of words when speaking or writing
2. (noun) the clarity and correctness of someone's speech or pronunciation
Examples
- 1. The poet's diction was very formal and old-fashioned.
- 2. The actor has excellent diction, making every word clear to the audience.
How to use diction
Diction refers to a speaker or writer's deliberate selection and arrangement of words, often evaluated for style, clarity, or appropriateness. It encompasses both meaning 1 (stylistic word choice, especially in literary analysis) and meaning 2 (clarity of pronunciation or articulation). The term is more common in formal or academic contexts than everyday speech.
Common phrases
- careful diction
- precise diction
- poetic diction
- diction choices
- distinctive diction
- diction varies
Synonyms
word choice · vocabulary · wording · phrasing · expression
Word family
dictionary · dictional · dicate
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse diction with diction as solely about pronunciation; while both senses are valid, in literary contexts diction almost always means word choice and style.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD