illocution

I1L1L1O1C3U1T1I1O1N1
/ˌɪləˈkjuːʃn/

noun

The aim of a speaker in making an utterance as opposed to the meaning of the terms used.

OriginLatin loquor →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounillocution (plural illocutions)

plural illocutions

  1. human sciencesThe aim of a speaker in making an utterance as opposed to the meaning of the terms used.
  2. human sciencesA type of speech act being made by a speaker, i.e., the purpose of the statement in terms of how the addressee is to interpret either its truth-value, or its requirements and demands upon the speaker in terms of a physical or psychological response.

Origin

  1. Latinloquor
  2. Englishillocution

From il- (“in”) (an assimilated version of in-) + locution (“speech”), from Latin loquor.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 语为
  • 语为Ithkuil term
Czech ilokuce
  • ilokuceaim of speaker
Dutch illocutie
  • illocutieaim of speaker
French illocution
  • illocutionaim of speaker
German Illokution
  • Illokutionaim of speaker
Korean 발화
  • 발화 (balhwa)aim of speaker
Russian иллокуция, иллокуция
  • иллокуция (illokucija)aim of speaker
  • иллокуция (illokucija)Ithkuil term
Cite this entry
APA

illocution. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illocution

MLA

“illocution.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illocution. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “illocution,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illocution.

Source: illocution on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.