verbal fluency
Smooth spoken expression
Verbal fluency is the ability to produce words quickly and easily—a measure of how readily language flows.
Psychologists test it by asking subjects to name as many words as possible in a category or starting with a particular letter: Her verbal fluency declined after the stroke.
The term also describes general ease with spoken language: His verbal fluency made him a natural for sales.
- tip of the tongueVerge of recollection
- speech disordersConditions impairing verbal expression
- word saladMeaningless verbal confusion
- articulationClear vocal expression
- divergent thinkingProducing varied ideas freely
working memory · neuropsychology · categorization · mental flexibility · phonology · dementia · executive function · diction · syntax · processing speed · language learning · cognitive load · cognitive testing · talking · storytelling · quick wit · silver tongue · smooth talker
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- speechspeech, speaking, talk, diction, conversation
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
- language skillsspeaking, reading, writing, listening, vocabulary
- mental sharpnessmental agility, mental clarity, mental focus, acumen, sharp mind
- Brain MeasuresEEG, fMRI, MRI images, brain scan, brain scans
verbal fluencytongue-tied
Unable to express oneself
speechlessness · disfluency · stammering · stuttering · inarticulateness
verbal fluencytongue-tiedness
Inability to articulate
silence · mutism · nonverbal communication · wordlessness · reticence