The Latin verb loqui (to speak) and its related form locutio (speaking, speech) generate a remarkably rich cluster of GRE vocabulary words — almost all dealing with how people communicate, the quality of their speech, and the manner of their expression. Because the GRE tests communication vocabulary heavily in its Text Completion questions, mastering this root family provides an outsized return on study time.
The Core Loqu-/Loc- Family
| Word | Components | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loquacious | loqu (speak) + -acious (tending to) | Tending to talk a great deal; very chatty | The loquacious tour guide filled every pause with anecdotes, some of which were barely relevant. |
| Eloquent | e (out) + loqu (speak) + -ent | Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing | Her eloquent defense of the proposal persuaded even the most skeptical board members. |
| Circumlocution | circum (around) + loc (speak) + -tion | The use of many words where fewer would do; indirect expression | His circumlocution on the witness stand — answering every question with a lengthy digression — frustrated the attorneys. |
| Soliloquy | sol (alone) + iloqu (speak) + -y | A dramatic monologue in which a character speaks thoughts aloud while alone | Hamlet's "To be or not to be" is the most famous soliloquy in English literature. |
| Colloquy | col (together) + loqu (speak) + -y | A formal conversation or conference; dialogue | The academic colloquy drew scholars from twelve countries to debate the new findings. |
| Colloquial | col + loqu + -ial | Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; informal | The legal brief avoided colloquial expressions, maintaining formal diction throughout. |
| Interlocutor | inter (between) + loc + -utor (one who) | A person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation; the other speaker | She matched every argument her interlocutor raised with a precise and measured counter-point. |
| Grandiloquent | grand (great) + i + loqu + -ent | Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner | The grandiloquent speech used elaborate metaphors where plain language would have served better. |
| Magniloquent | magni (great) + loqu + -ent | Using high-flown or bombastic language | The magniloquent manifesto promised a revolution that its authors were never able to deliver. |
| Ventriloquist | ventri (belly) + loqu + -ist | A performer who speaks without moving their lips so sound appears to come from a dummy | The ventriloquist's dummy seemed to develop its own personality over years of performance. |
The GRE-Critical Distinctions
Loquacious vs. Garrulous vs. Voluble vs. Verbose
All four describe excessive talking or wordiness, but each has a distinct nuance that the GRE exploits:
- Loquacious: Simply talks a lot. Neutral to mildly negative. Can be charming or tiresome depending on context.
- Garrulous: Talks a lot in a tedious, repetitive way. More negative than loquacious. Implies boring repetition.
- Voluble: Speaks rapidly and fluently. Emphasizes speed and ease of speech more than quantity. Can be positive (quick, articulate) or mildly negative (too fast to follow).
- Verbose: Uses too many words — primarily applies to writing. A verbose report is wordy; a verbose speaker is also loquacious, but verbose specifically emphasizes the excess-words problem.
Eloquent vs. Grandiloquent vs. Magniloquent
Eloquent is positive — clear, persuasive, well-expressed. Grandiloquent and magniloquent are both negative — they describe speech that tries to be grand and impressive but is actually inflated and hollow. The difference between grandiloquent and magniloquent is minimal — grandiloquent is more common on the GRE; magniloquent appears at the harder end of the vocabulary range.
Circumlocution: The GRE's Favorite Loqu- Word
Circumlocution (speaking around something — from circum, around + locutio, speech) is the GRE's single most frequently tested word from this family. It appears in Text Completion questions about politicians who avoid answering direct questions, lawyers who obscure rather than clarify, and writers who bury their points in tangential prose.
The word has a distinctly negative connotation: circumlocution is not just indirect — it's deliberately or lazily evasive. A circumlocutory response to a simple question signals either incompetence or strategic evasion.
The Extended Speaking Vocabulary
Beyond the loqu-/loc- family, several other Latin and Greek roots contribute to GRE vocabulary about speech and communication:
| Root | Meaning | GRE Words |
|---|---|---|
| dict- | Say, declare | dictum, edict, malediction, benediction, verdict, indict |
| voc-/vok- | Voice, call | vociferous, equivocate, evoke, revoke, advocate, convoke |
| log-/logos | Word, reason | eulogy, tautology, neologism, prologue, epilogue, dialogue |
| phon- | Sound, voice | cacophony (harsh sound), euphony (pleasant sound), phonetic |
| rhet- | Speak, oration | rhetoric, rhetorical |
FAQ
Is "eloquence" always positive on the GRE?
Almost always, yes. Eloquence describes speech or writing that is clear, fluent, and persuasive. The only exceptions occur in contexts where eloquence is being used cynically — as in "his eloquent lies convinced the jury" — but even there the word itself is neutral-to-positive; the context makes it ironic. In straightforward GRE usage, eloquent = positive.
What is the difference between a colloquy and a dialogue?
Both mean a conversation between two or more people. Colloquy (from col + loqu) is more formal and often refers to a structured academic or official exchange. Dialogue has broader application — any conversation qualifies. On the GRE, colloquy signals a formal, organized discussion; dialogue is more general and neutral.
Does "loquacious" have a positive or negative connotation?
Mildly negative to neutral. Unlike garrulous (which implies tedious repetition), loquacious simply notes the tendency to talk a lot. Depending on context, a loquacious person could be charming and engaging or exhausting to be around. GRE questions using loquacious are typically asking for a description of communication quantity, not quality — the connotation is less important than recognizing it means "very talkative."
How do I remember circumlocution?
Break it down: circum = around (like circumference, circumspect, circumnavigate) + locution = speech. Speaking in circles = circumlocution. Visualize a politician being asked a yes/no question and talking for five minutes around every point except the actual answer. That image is circumlocution in action.
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