Skip to content

diction

diction, enunciation

noun deek-SYOHN Rare

Origin: Latin dictio, from dicere 'to say'

Usage Note

Diction in French refers to the clarity and manner of articulating speech — how well and distinctly someone pronounces words. Avoir une bonne diction is a valued skill in French theatre and broadcasting. It is distinct from accent (regional coloring) and élocution (more broadly the art of speaking).

Examples

"Les acteurs travaillent leur diction chaque jour."

Natural Translation

Actors work on their diction every day.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore French by topic