# hold forth

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hold-forth
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to talk at length

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to talk for a long time about a topic you know well, often while others just listen.

For teachers: to speak at great length or deliver an opinionated discourse, often in a self-important manner.

- We sat there for an hour while my uncle held forth on the history of the town.
- The professor held forth for nearly two hours on the nuances of medieval law, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his audience was exhausted.

Usage: This is an intransitive phrasal verb; it does not take a direct object, but often uses the preposition 'on' or 'about' to introduce the topic.

Teaching tip: This term often carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting the speaker is being tedious or self-important.

## Examples

- He likes to hold forth on politics during dinner.
- The professor held forth for nearly an hour about the history of the local architecture.
- The CEO held forth on the virtues of corporate synergy while the rest of the board members checked their watches in silence.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'chat' or 'discuss' to show the one-sided nature of 'holding forth'; it implies a performance rather than a dialogue.

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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.