Definition of fluency

The word "fluency" originates from the Latin word "fluere," which means "to flow." In the 15th century, the term "fluency" emerged to describe the quality of flowing or pouring easily, often in a liquid sense. In the 16th century, the concept of fluency expanded to include the idea of smoothness, coordination, and ease of motion or movement. In the late 18th century, linguists adopted the term "fluency" to describe a person's ability to speak a language with skill, accuracy, and ease. From then on, fluency has been closely associated with language proficiency, referring to a speaker's ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly, accurately, and effortlessly. Throughout its evolution, the concept of fluency has remained rooted in the idea of movement, flow, and smoothness, whether applied to language, physical actions, or abstract concepts.