100 Words Every Public Speaker Should Know

No.	Term	Definition
1.	Abridged	Shortened without losing core meaning.
2.	Abstract	Summary of key points.
3.	Acknowledge	Recognize or admit something publicly.
4.	Acronym	Word formed from initial letters.
5.	Ad hoc	Created for a specific purpose.
6.	Adage	Traditional saying expressing a truth.
7.	Admonish	Warn firmly; reprimand.
8.	Advocacy	Public support for a cause.
9.	Aesthetic	Concerned with beauty or style.
10.	Anecdote	Brief story illustrating a point.
11.	Anticipate	Expect and prepare for.
12.	Antithesis	Direct contrast of ideas.
13.	Aphorism	Concise statement of principle.
14.	Appeal	Request or attract interest.
15.	Articulate	Express clearly and effectively.
16.	Assertion	Confident statement of fact or belief.
17.	Assumption	Belief accepted without proof.
18.	Audience	People listening to a speaker.
19.	Authentic	Genuine; true to origin.
20.	Authority	Credible expertise or official power.
21.	Backchannel	Audience feedback during speaking.
22.	Balanced	Evenly weighted; fair and measured.
23.	Brevity	Concise use of words.
24.	Briefing	Short informational meeting or summary.
25.	Cadence	Rhythmic flow of speech.
26.	Call to action	Prompt to do something specific.
27.	Candid	Honest and straightforward.
28.	Caveat	Warning or qualification.
29.	Clarity	Easiness to understand.
30.	Cliché	Overused phrase lacking originality.
31.	Coherent	Logically connected and consistent.
32.	Colloquial	Informal, conversational language.
33.	Concede	Admit a point is valid.
34.	Concise	Brief yet complete.
35.	Connotation	Implied meaning beyond definition.
36.	Consensus	General agreement.
37.	Context	Circumstances surrounding a message.
38.	Contrast	Show differences between things.
39.	Convey	Communicate or make known.
40.	Credibility	Quality of being trusted.
41.	Critique	Evaluate strengths and weaknesses.
42.	Cue	Signal to begin or change.
43.	Data	Facts used for reasoning.
44.	Decorum	Proper behavior and etiquette.
45.	Deduce	Reach conclusion from evidence.
46.	Deflect	Redirect attention away.
47.	Defuse	Reduce tension or conflict.
48.	Deliberate	Careful and unhurried.
49.	Deliver	Present speech to an audience.
50.	Demographic	Population group characteristics.
51.	Denotation	Literal dictionary meaning.
52.	Diction	Choice and use of words.
53.	Diplomatic	Tactful; avoiding offense.
54.	Discourse	Serious written or spoken discussion.
55.	Disseminate	Spread information widely.
56.	Distill	Extract the essential meaning.
57.	Eloquent	Fluent, persuasive speaking.
58.	Empathy	Understand others’ feelings.
59.	Emphasis	Special importance or stress.
60.	Engagement	Active audience attention and interest.
61.	Enunciate	Pronounce words clearly.
62.	Ethos	Speaker’s credibility and character.
63.	Evidence	Information supporting a claim.
64.	Exemplify	Show by example.
65.	Extemporaneous	Spoken with little preparation.
66.	Facilitate	Make a process easier.
67.	Fact-check	Verify accuracy of statements.
68.	Feedback	Responses used for improvement.
69.	Figurative	Nonliteral, metaphorical language.
70.	Filler word	Meaningless word used while thinking.
71.	Fluency	Smooth, effortless speech.
72.	Focus	Direct attention to essentials.
73.	Framework	Structure organizing ideas.
74.	Gesture	Movement expressing meaning.
75.	Gravitas	Seriousness and dignity.
76.	Hook	Opening that captures attention.
77.	Hyperbole	Deliberate exaggeration for effect.
78.	Iconic	Widely recognized as representative.
79.	Identify	Recognize and name clearly.
80.	Illustrate	Explain using examples or visuals.
81.	Impromptu	Done without preparation.
82.	Inference	Conclusion drawn from evidence.
83.	Inflection	Change in voice pitch.
84.	Intelligible	Able to be understood.
85.	Intention	Purpose behind an action.
86.	Interjection	Sudden remark interrupting speech.
87.	Interlude	Brief pause or interval.
88.	Interrogate	Question closely and critically.
89.	Jargon	Specialized terms of a group.
90.	Juxtapose	Place side by side for contrast.
91.	Keen	Sharp, perceptive, eager.
92.	Key takeaway	Most important point to remember.
93.	Laconic	Using very few words.
94.	Leverage	Use to maximum advantage.
95.	Logos	Appeal to logic and reason.
96.	Manageable	Able to be handled effectively.
97.	Metaphor	Comparison without using like or as.
98.	Moderate	Chair a discussion; regulate.
99.	Motif	Recurring theme or idea.
100.	Narrative	Story structure connecting points.