Antonyms for diction


Grammar : Noun
Spell : dik-shuhn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈdɪk ʃən


Definition of diction

Origin :
  • 1540s, "a word;" 1580s, "expression of ideas in words," from Late Latin dictionem (nominative dictio) "a saying, expression, word," noun of action from dic-, past participle stem of Latin dicere "speak, tell, say" (source of French dire "to say"), related to dicare "proclaim, dedicate," from PIE root *deik- "to point out" (cf. Sanskrit dic- "point out, show," Greek deiknynai "to prove," Latin digitus "finger," Old High German zeigon, German zeigen "to show," Old English teon "to accuse," tæcan "to teach").
  • noun style of speech; articulation
Example sentences :
  • There was no "mine" or "thine" in the diction of the Wright brothers; only "we" and "ours."
  • Extract from : « The Age of Invention » by Holland Thompson
  • It is needless to expatiate on its poetic merit or felicity of diction.
  • Extract from : « My Reminiscences » by Rabindranath Tagore
  • These ten lines are a fair specimen of the diction of the entire volume.
  • Extract from : « The Verbalist » by Thomas Embly Osmun, (AKA Alfred Ayres)
  • The churches are now teaching that religion is action, not diction.
  • Extract from : « A Labrador Doctor » by Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
  • My style is too finished, you understand, my diction too perfect.
  • Extract from : « Quin » by Alice Hegan Rice
  • The numbers are smooth and sprightly, and the diction is seldom faulty.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in Nine Volumes » by Samuel Johnson
  • The diction is correct, the numbers are smooth, and the rhymes exact.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in Nine Volumes » by Samuel Johnson
  • His ear was well-tuned, and his diction was elegant and copious.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in Nine Volumes » by Samuel Johnson
  • Aristotle truly said that "the beginning of style is correctness of diction."
  • Extract from : « Elementary Guide to Literary Criticism » by F. V. N. Painter
  • Some imagined that they recognised the sentiments and diction of Temple.
  • Extract from : « The History of England from the Accession of James II. » by Thomas Babington Macaulay

Synonyms for diction

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019