raconteur
UK: ˌrækɒnˈtɜː(r) | US: ˌrækɑːnˈtɜːr
n. a person who excels in telling anecdotes or stories skillfully and engagingly.
raconteur = racont<to recount> + eur<agent noun suffix (French)>
- racont (from French raconter, meaning "to recount" or "to narrate")
- eur (French agent noun suffix, equivalent to English "-er," indicating a person who performs an action)
Etymology Origin:
The word raconteur entered English in the early 19th century directly from French, where raconter means "to tell a story." The suffix -eur (as in amateur, entrepreneur) denotes a person associated with the action. The term reflects a cultural appreciation for skilled storytelling, often implying wit, charm, and vivid delivery.
The dinner party was enlivened by a gifted raconteur who had everyone laughing with his tales.
As a natural raconteur, she could turn even mundane events into captivating stories.
Hemingway was not just a great writer but also a brilliant raconteur in social gatherings.
The old sailor was a renowned raconteur, spinning yarns about his adventures at sea.
A true raconteur knows how to pace a story for maximum effect.