Orotund
/ˈɔːrəˌtʌnd/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Orotund means a voice or way of speaking that is loud, clear, and has a deep, rich sound. It often sounds formal or important, like someone speaking with confidence or authority. People use it to describe speech that fills a room and is easy to hear and understand.
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See It in Action
Describing a voice that is full, strong, and clear
- •The actor's orotund voice filled the theater.
- •She spoke in an orotund tone that captured everyone's attention.
- •His orotund speech made the presentation very impressive.
Describing language or style that is grand and formal
- •The poet used orotund language to create a powerful effect.
- •The letter was written in an orotund style, sounding very official.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "orotund" like "loud" or "clear" (A1 words), but with a special deep and rich sound that makes it sound important and full
- ✓Picture a big, round bell ringing strongly and clearly in a quiet room
- ✓It's the feeling you get when a speaker talks with strong confidence and everyone listens carefully
- ✓Sounds like "OR-uh-tund" → imagine a strong "OR" sound that fills the air like a trumpet
- ✓Remember a king or a teacher speaking to a big group with a strong and clear voice that everyone can hear well
- ✓NOT like "quiet" or "soft" voices; orotund voices are full and strong
- ✓NOT like "shout" (which can be loud but harsh); orotund is smooth, rich, and impressive
- ✓NOT like "monotone" (flat and boring); orotund has a powerful and interesting sound
Try Other Words
- •Resonant: having a deep, clear, and strong sound (Use when emphasizing the echo or vibration quality)
- •Sonorous: full and rich in sound (Use when focusing on the pleasant, musical quality of the voice)
- •Booming: very loud and deep (Use when the sound is very strong and fills a large space)
- •Loud: making a lot of noise (Use in everyday situations without the formal or rich tone)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "oro-" (from Latin "os, oris" meaning mouth) + "-tund" (from Latin "rotundus" meaning round)
- •Etymology: From Latin "orotundus," meaning "mouth" + "round," describing a voice that sounds full and round
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe voices that sound impressively full and clear
- •Modern usage: Mostly used in literature or formal speech to describe strong, rich voices or grand language
- •Interesting fact: Often used to describe speeches by important leaders or actors with powerful voices
Reflect & Connect
•How does an orotund voice change the way a message is received by listeners?
•Can a voice be orotund without being loud? What would that sound like?
Fill in the blanks
1.The speaker's orotund voice ___ the entire hall, making sure everyone could hear clearly.
2.When someone speaks in an orotund tone, they often want to ___ attention and sound important.
3.Unlike a soft whisper, an orotund voice is ___ and full of power.
4.The actor used an orotund style to ___ the emotions of the character on stage.
5.People often describe orotund voices as ___ and rich, not just loud or noisy.
6.An orotund voice usually pairs with ___ and confident speech.
7.If a voice is orotund, we can ___ that the speaker is serious and wants to be heard clearly.