Phrase guide

hold forth

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To extend or offer, propose.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To talk at great length.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • I bestrode the courtroom entranceway, holding forth on my merits to the assembled press.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: expatiate, harangue

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

talk at length and formally about a topic

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: discourse, dissertate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: talk, speak

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: verbreiten — talk at great length
  • Russian: разглаго́льствовать (razglagólʹstvovatʹ) — talk at great length
  • Spanish: hablar largo y tendido — talk at great length