Use mellifluous for voices, music, speech, or prose that sounds smooth and pleasing, especially in formal or literary writing.
Use mellifluous for voices, music, speech, or prose that sounds smooth and pleasing, especially in formal or literary writing.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The cake was mellifluous and rich. | The cake was sweet and rich. |
| She spoke in a mellifluous angry shout. | She spoke in a harsh angry shout. |
| His voice was very mellifluently. | His voice was very mellifluous. |
Use mellifluous in this literal honeyed sense only when a poetic or old-fashioned tone fits the context.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| This supermarket yogurt is mellifluous. | This supermarket yogurt is sweet. |
| The sauce tasted mellifluous with too much salt. | The sauce tasted too salty. |
| The drink was mellifluousness. | The drink was mellifluous. |
Use mellifluous mostly for pleasing sound, and reserve the honeyed sense for literary contexts.
Food is called mellifluous in everyday speech when sweet or honeyed would be more natural.
From Late Latin mellifluus, built from Latin mel meaning honey and fluere meaning to flow, entering English through late Middle English forms.
What does mellifluous mean?
Mellifluous usually means smooth, sweet, and pleasant to hear.
Is mellifluous formal?
Yes. Mellifluous is formal and often literary, especially for voices, music, or elegant speech.
Can mellifluous describe food?
It can, but that honeyed sense is rare and literary. In ordinary use, sweet or honeyed is clearer.
What is a mellifluous voice?
A mellifluous voice is smooth, rich, sweet, and pleasant to listen to.
Where does mellifluous come from?
Mellifluous comes from Late Latin roots meaning honey and to flow.