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orotund

adjective
oro·​tund | \ ˈȯr-ə-ˌtənd How to pronounce orotund (audio) , ˈär-\

Definition of orotund

1 : marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound : sonorous an orotund voice
2 : pompous, bombastic an orotund speech
Other Words from orotund Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about orotund

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Other Words from orotund

orotundity \ ˌȯr-​ə-​ˈtən-​də-​tē How to pronounce orotundity (audio) , ˌär-​ \ noun

Did You Know?

The Latin roots of orotund are related to two more common English words-"oral" and "rotund." Latin or- means "mouth," and rotundus means "round" or "circular." The Roman poet Horace joined forms of those Latin terms to create the phrase "ore rotundo," literally meaning "with round mouth," and figuratively meaning "with well-turned speech." "Ore rotundo" was modified to "orotund" and adopted into English in the late 18th century. It can indicate either strength of delivery or inflated wording.

Examples of orotund in a Sentence

the tenor's orotund voice was just what this soaring aria needs a master of the orotund prose that is favored by academic journals of literary criticism

First Known Use of orotund

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for orotund

modification of Latin ore rotundo, literally, with round mouth

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