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mellifluous

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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English

Etymology

From Latin mellifluus (flowing like honey), from mel (honey) + fluō (flow). Compare superfluous and fluid, from same root, and with dulcet (sweet speech), alternative Latinate term with a similar meaning.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /məˈlɪflu.əs/, /mɛˈlɪflu.əs/

Adjective

mellifluous (comparative more mellifluous, superlative most mellifluous)

  1. Flowing like honey.
  2. (figurative) Sweet, smooth and musical; pleasant to hear (generally used of a person's voice, tone or writing style).
    Synonyms: birdsweet, dulcet, euphonious, mellifluent

Usage notes

Not to be confused with melliferous (of a plant or its parts: bearing any substance (such as nectar or pollen) which is collected by bees to produce honey; (by extension) producing honey; (figurative) honeyed, sweet).

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
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