rhetorical
gb/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/ us/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/
B2
Inglés
~ 9600
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
C1
property
1
relating to rhetoric or style
About how language is used to speak or write in a strong or persuasive way.
Patrón de uso:
a rhetorical [noun]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
oratorical (Emphasizes formal public speaking, often in speeches, more than writing or general style.)
Antónimos
plain (Describes language that is simple and direct, without special techniques to persuade or impress.)
Colocaciones
rhetorical device
|rhetorical strategy
|rhetorical skills
|rhetorical analysis
|rhetorical style
|rhetorical training
Temas
language
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The course focuses on rhetorical strategies used in political speeches.
- She admired his rhetorical skill in turning a difficult topic into a clear and powerful message.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We studied different rhetorical devices in English class.
- Her speech showed good rhetorical skills.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
2
of a question, not needing answer
Describes a question that is asked only to make a point, not because the speaker wants an answer.
Patrón de uso:
a rhetorical question
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
hypothetical (Can describe questions that imagine a situation; unlike 'rhetorical', a hypothetical question may still expect an answer.)
Antónimos
genuine (A genuine question is asked because the speaker really wants or needs an answer.)
Colocaciones
a rhetorical question
|purely rhetorical
|almost rhetorical
|just a rhetorical question
|not a rhetorical question
|meant as a rhetorical question
Temas
communication
|language
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- "Do you think I'm made of money?" he asked, clearly a rhetorical question.
- Her comment, "Who wouldn’t want a raise?", was meant as a rhetorical question.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The teacher asked a rhetorical question and did not wait for an answer.
- "Who cares?" is often a rhetorical question.
- 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.
adjective
C1
property
3
sounding persuasive but empty
Describes speech or writing that sounds strong or important but does not say much or is not honest.
Patrón de uso:
rhetorical [noun]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
bombastic (Suggests language that is very loud and overblown in style, often more extreme than 'rhetorical'.)
Antónimos
substantive (Describes language that contains real, important content rather than just sounding impressive.)
Colocaciones
rhetorical flourish
|rhetorical posturing
|rhetorical grandstanding
|rhetorical promise
|empty rhetorical phrase
|mere rhetorical gesture
Temas
politics
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Critics dismissed the announcement as a purely rhetorical gesture with no real plan behind it.
- The campaign was full of rhetorical promises that were never kept.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Many people thought the speech was only rhetorical and not serious.
- The leader made rhetorical promises before the election.
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
rhetorical
AFI
GB/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/
US/ɹɪtˈɔɹɪkəl/
Sílabas y acento
rhet - or - ic - al (4 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (or)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: rhetorical
Familia de palabras
Core family
rhetoric
noun B2
rhetorically
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
rhetorician
noun
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- "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.