# diction

/ˈdɪkʃən/ (US) · /dˈɪkʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/diction
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

the choice of specific words in a piece of writing or speech. It helps show the writer's style, their level of education, or the mood they want to create.

For teachers: the particular choice of words used by a writer or speaker. Often used to describe the stylistic quality of a text or the register of a performance.

## Examples

- The poet's diction is very formal and precise.
- The playwright's diction shifts from casual street language to formal legal terms to highlight the tension between the two characters.
- While the plot of the novel is relatively simple, the author's diction is so rich and evocative that it creates a vivid sense of the historical setting.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.