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⇱ rhetorical - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

rhetorical

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/rɪˈtɒrɪkəl/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/rɪˈtɔrɪkəl, -ˈtɑr-/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(ri tôr′i kəl, -tor′-)



WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
rhe•tor•i•cal  (ri tôr′i kəl, -tor′-),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. Rhetoricused for, belonging to, or concerned with mere style or effect.
  2. Rhetoricmarked by or tending to use bombast.
  3. Rhetoricof, concerned with, or having the nature of rhetoric.
  • Greek rhētorikós) + -al1
  • Latin rhētoric(us) (
  • 1470–80
rhe•tor′i•cal•ly, adv. 
rhe•tor′i•cal•ness n. 
    1. verbal, stylistic, oratorical.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
rhetorical /rɪˈtɒrɪkəl/ adj
  1. concerned with effect or style rather than content or meaning; bombastic
  2. of or relating to rhetoric or oratory
rheˈtorically adv
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
rhet•o•ric /ˈrɛtərɪk/USA pronunciation   n. [uncountable]
  1. Rhetoric
    • the art of effectively using language in speech or writing.
    • language skillfully used.
  2. Rhetoricexaggerated language that is empty and meaningless; bombast.
rhe•tor•i•cal /rɪˈtɔrɪkəl, -ˈtɑr-/USA pronunciation  adj. [before a noun]
rhe•tor•i•cal•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
rhet•o•ric  (ret′ər ik),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display;
    bombast.
  2. Rhetoricthe art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.
  3. Rhetoricthe study of the effective use of language.
  4. the ability to use language effectively.
  5. Rhetoricthe art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
  6. Rhetoricthe art of making persuasive speeches;
    oratory.
  7. Rhetoric(in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.
  8. Rhetoric(in older use) a work on rhetoric.
  • Medieval Latin rēthorica, Latin rhētorica, as above
  • Greek rhētorikè̄ (téchnē) rhetorical (art); replacing Middle English rethorik
  • Latin rhētorica
  • 1300–50

'rhetorical' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "rhetorical" in the title:

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