Voluble traces back to Latin volvere, meaning "to set in a circular course" or "to cause to roll." English rolled with that meaning, using voluble as an adjective to describe things easily rolling, changing, or turning, and later added the meaning of Latin volūbilis, which implies readily flowing speech. Today, voluble most often describes an individual who speaks easily and often.
talkative may imply a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation.
a talkative neighbor
loquacious suggests the power of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly.
a loquacious spokesperson
garrulous implies prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity.
garrulous traveling companions
voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity.
a voluble raconteur
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebKenneth Platt, the most visible and voluble of San Antonio’s remaining Pearl Harbor veterans, was buried here Thursday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with a salute from an Air Force honor guard. Sig Christenson, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Aug. 2022 Democrats have been less voluble about one of their party’s most powerful politicians. Charles Hutzler, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Others in the Trump orbit, such as the usually voluble Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, wouldn’t answer questions about the storming of the Capitol. Brent Lang, Variety, 10 July 2022 Tall and athletic, with a low, booming voice and a voluble disposition, Veldman earned his Ph.D. in 2010 by studying the tropical forests of Bolivia. Julia Rosen, The Atlantic, 25 July 2022 After surfacing as a voluble defender of Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, Mr. Bausman became an outspoken Trump supporter.New York Times, 3 July 2022 The man once charged with speaking for the voluble Trump requires subtitles to make his words discernible. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 14 June 2022 Robert is warm and voluble, with a fringe of steel-gray hair and baggy jeans; Michelle, who is sixty, is more of a fashion plate, in leather boots and hip tortoiseshell glasses. Emily Nussbaum, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 For years, Thomas was overshadowed by his more voluble colleague, but a reconsideration followed.New York Times, 22 Feb. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English volible, voluble "able to turn, changing," borrowed from Latin volūbilis "turning on its axis, rolling, flowing, (of speech) readily flowing, fluent," from volū-, variant stem of volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at wallow entry 1, -able