1 C1 idiomatic formal
To talk at great length and with self-importance about a topic, often in a way that bores or irritates listeners.
"He spent the entire dinner party holding forth on the failings of modern education."
inseparable
hold forth
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
To speak at length on a subject, often in an opinionated or pompous way.
In plain English
To talk a lot about something, usually in a way that makes you sound very important or like you know everything.
What does "hold forth" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hold something forth (to offer or present it) — the sense of presenting one's opinions at length is a historical extension.
Actually means
To talk a lot about something, usually in a way that makes you sound very important or like you know everything.
Usage tip
Almost always used with mild disapproval or irony. The phrase implies the speaker enjoys the sound of their own voice. Followed by 'on' or 'about': 'hold forth on politics.' More common in British English.
Words that pair with "hold forth"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
politics art subject topic philosophy opinions views
How to conjugate "hold forth"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hold forth
I/you/we/they
3rd person
holds forth
he/she/it
Past simple
held forth
yesterday
Past participle
held forth
have + pp
-ing form
holding forth
continuous
Hear "hold forth" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hold forth" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.