Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

illocution

Noun

/ˌɪləˈkjuːʃən/

Definition

A speaker’s intention in making an utterance, particularly in the context of speech acts as defined in linguistics and philosophy.

Examples

When she asked, ‘Can you pass the salt?’, her illocution was a request rather than a question about the ability to pass it.
The illocution of the lawyer’s statement was meant to indicate a formal objection.
His sarcastic remark had an illocution that suggested displeasure rather than humor.

Meaning

The term refers to the communicative force behind a statement, emphasizing what the speaker intends to convey beyond the literal meaning of the words used.