diction
Pronunciation
Noun
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
A writer's or speaker's choice of words, especially in terms of how formal, simple, or vivid they are.
Synonyms and antonyms
Synonyms
word choice
Usage notes
Not related to 'dictionary' or 'dictation' despite the shared root; it refers purely to word choice.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "The poem's _____ is deliberately old-fashioned, full of words like 'thou' and 'hither'."
Answer: diction
In your own words, what does "diction" mean?
A writer's or speaker's choice of words, especially in terms of how formal, simple, or vivid they are.
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