Speaking plainly and in language that is easy to understand.
Reach for it when praising direct, comprehensible speech in deliberately uncommon wording
The clear-spoken witness separated what she saw from what she later inferred.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
everyday
Fits when the speaker reaches the point without detours
Careful Direct speech can be cryptic, tactless, or difficult to understand.
everyday
Fits when frank, simple language is the intended standard form
Careful Plainspoken emphasizes candor and can sound blunt.
professional
Fits when ideas are expressed fluently and coherently
Careful Articulate may imply polish or eloquence beyond simple clear speech.
professional
Fits when listeners can understand the words or meaning
Careful Intelligible is a low threshold and carries no praise for style or candor.
formal
Fits when the explanation has a clear logical structure
Careful Lucid fits speech or writing but says little about honesty.
literary
Fits when open expression of a difficult view deserves emphasis
Careful Forthright speech can feel confrontational while remaining hard to follow.
clear-spoken witness
The clear-spoken witness made the timeline easy to follow.
clear-spoken explanation
His clear-spoken explanation avoided both jargon and false certainty.
clear-spoken manner
Her clear-spoken manner invited questions instead of ending discussion.
Keep in mind
Clear-spoken is rare. Plainspoken is the more common word.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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