rhetorical
gb/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/ us/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/
B2
English
~ 9600
retorikai, költői, hangzatos, pusztán retorikai
C1
1
retorikai
C1
Usage pattern:
a rhetorical [noun]
The course focuses on rhetorical strategies used in political speeches.
A kurzus a politikai beszédekben alkalmazott retorikai stratégiákra összpontosít.
She admired his rhetorical skill in turning a difficult topic into a clear and powerful message.
Csodálta a retorikai érzékét: egy nehéz témát világos és erőteljes üzenetté tudott formálni.
The article offers a detailed rhetorical analysis of the president’s address.
Students were asked to identify three different rhetorical devices in the passage.
His writing is strong, but he still needs to develop more advanced rhetorical techniques.
Learner examples
We studied different rhetorical devices in English class.
Angolórán különböző retorikai eszközöket tanultunk.
Her speech showed good rhetorical skills.
A beszéde jó retorikai készségről tanúskodott.
The teacher gave us a lesson on rhetorical style.
They talked about the rhetorical power of simple words.
I want to improve my rhetorical technique for presentations.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rhetorical' with 'theoretical'. 'Rhetorical' is about how language is used to persuade or have an effect, while 'theoretical' is about ideas and theory, not practical use.
Meaning
relating to rhetoric or style
Collocations
rhetorical device
|rhetorical strategy
|rhetorical skills
|rhetorical analysis
|rhetorical style
|rhetorical training
Synonyms
oratorical (Emphasizes formal public speaking, often in speeches, more than writing or general style.)
Antonyms
plain (Describes language that is simple and direct, without special techniques to persuade or impress.)
Themes
language
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About how language is used to speak or write in a strong or persuasive way.
Relating to the art, techniques, or style of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a rhetorical question
"Do you think I'm made of money?" he asked, clearly a rhetorical question.
„Szerinted pénzből vagyok?” – kérdezte; ez nyilvánvalóan költői kérdés volt.
Her comment, "Who wouldn’t want a raise?", was meant as a rhetorical question.
Az a megjegyzése, hogy „Ki ne akarna fizetésemelést?”, költői kérdésnek volt szánva.
When I say, "Can we please focus?", it’s a rhetorical question, not a real one.
The speech opened with a powerful rhetorical question that made the audience think.
"Isn’t it obvious?" he said, using a rhetorical question to show his frustration.
Learner examples
The teacher asked a rhetorical question and did not wait for an answer.
A tanár költői kérdést tett fel, és nem várt választ.
"Who cares?" is often a rhetorical question.
A „Kit érdekel?” gyakran költői kérdés.
I said, "Is this fair?" as a rhetorical question.
Her question was rhetorical, so nobody answered.
He used a rhetorical question to make his point strong.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'rhetorical' means 'related to writing' in all cases and say *'a rhetorical sentence'* when they mean 'a rhetorical question'. Also, they may think a rhetorical question is the same as a 'difficult' or 'important' question, but it is actually one that does not need an answer.
Meaning
of a question, not needing answer
Collocations
a rhetorical question
|purely rhetorical
|almost rhetorical
|just a rhetorical question
|not a rhetorical question
|meant as a rhetorical question
Synonyms
hypothetical (Can describe questions that imagine a situation; unlike 'rhetorical', a hypothetical question may still expect an answer.)
Antonyms
genuine (A genuine question is asked because the speaker really wants or needs an answer.)
Themes
communication
|language
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describes a question that is asked only to make a point, not because the speaker wants an answer.
Describes a question that is asked to make a statement or produce an effect rather than to receive an actual answer.
C1
3
hangzatos
B2
Usage pattern:
rhetorical [noun]
Critics dismissed the announcement as a purely rhetorical gesture with no real plan behind it.
A bírálók a bejelentést pusztán retorikai gesztusnak minősítették, amely mögött nem volt valódi terv.
The campaign was full of rhetorical promises that were never kept.
A kampány tele volt hangzatos, soha be nem váltott ígéretekkel.
His speech relied on rhetorical flourishes instead of clear arguments.
She accused him of rhetorical posturing rather than offering concrete solutions.
The statement sounded bold, but it was mostly rhetorical and lacked detail.
Learner examples
Many people thought the speech was only rhetorical and not serious.
Sokan úgy gondolták, hogy a beszéd csak hangzatos szólamokból állt, és nem volt komoly.
The leader made rhetorical promises before the election.
A vezető hangzatos ígéreteket tett a választás előtt.
Some voters are tired of rhetorical talk and want real action.
The article says his words were just rhetorical, with no plan.
Her answer was very rhetorical but did not give facts.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'rhetorical' is always positive, meaning 'good at speaking'. In this sense it is often negative or critical, suggesting that someone uses nice words without real meaning or action.
Meaning
sounding persuasive but empty
Collocations
rhetorical flourish
|rhetorical posturing
|rhetorical grandstanding
|rhetorical promise
|empty rhetorical phrase
|mere rhetorical gesture
Synonyms
bombastic (Suggests language that is very loud and overblown in style, often more extreme than 'rhetorical'.)
Antonyms
substantive (Describes language that contains real, important content rather than just sounding impressive.)
Themes
politics
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describes speech or writing that sounds strong or important but does not say much or is not honest.
Describes language or statements that are showy or persuasive in style but are seen as lacking real content, sincerity, or practical value.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rhetorical
IPA
GB/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/
US/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
rhet - or - ic - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (or)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: rhetorical
Word family
Core family
rhetoric
noun B2
rhetorically
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
rhetorician
noun
Expressions
rhetorical device
1/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl dɪvˈaɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
technique for persuasive effect
A special way of using words to make speaking or writing more strong, clear, or persuasive.
Examples
- Metaphor is a common rhetorical device in political speeches.
- The teacher asked the class to underline every rhetorical device in the passage.
- Repetition is a simple but powerful rhetorical device.
rhetorical flourish
1/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl flˈɚɪʃ/
fixed phrase
literary
decorative piece of language
A short part of speech or writing that sounds beautiful or strong, but is mainly added for style, not for new information.
Examples
- He ended his talk with a rhetorical flourish that drew loud applause.
- The editor cut some of the rhetorical flourishes to make the article more direct.
- Her essay was clear, with only a few carefully chosen rhetorical flourishes.
rhetorical question
1/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
question asked only for effect
A question that someone asks only to make a point or create an effect, not because they want an answer.
Examples
- "Why bother?" he said, using a rhetorical question to show his irritation.
- She opened her talk with a rhetorical question that made everyone stop and think.
- When I ask, "Do you really believe that?", it’s a rhetorical question.