magniloquus

Magniloquus is a Latin adjective meaning “great-spoken” or “speaking grandly,” formed from magnus (great) and loqui (to speak) with the typical Latin masculine suffix -us. In English, the word itself is rarely used; the corresponding adjectives magniloquent and grandiloquent, and the noun magniloquence, are more common. The Latin form sometimes appears in scholarly discussions or when quoting Latin passages to describe a style.

In rhetoric and literary analysis, magniloquus and its derivatives describe speech that is lofty, pompous, and ornate, characterized by elaborate diction, grandiose phrases, and extensive embellishment. The term signals a register that aims to impress through form rather than through clarity or straightforward argument. Because of its association with ostentation, magniloquous language is often regarded negatively, suggesting pretension or affectation, though it can be appreciated in contexts that value ceremonial or elevated rhetoric.

Usage notes: magniloquus is mainly encountered in academic texts, discussions of Latin stylistics, or historical examinations of rhetorical practices. It is not standard in everyday English, where magniloquent or grandiloquent is preferred. Magniloquence refers to the quality of such language, while related terms include bombast and pompousness, which share a similar critical tone when describing speech or writing.

See also: magniloquence, magniloquent, grandiloquence, grandiloquent.