Showing results for "speaking"

• present participle of speak.

speaking

American  

[spee-king] / ˈspi kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks.

2. speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature.

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adjective

1. that speaks.

2. used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking.

   the speaking voice.

3. of or relating to declamation.

4. giving information as if by speech.

   a speaking proof of a thing.

5. highly expressive.

   speaking eyes.

6. lifelike.

   a speaking likeness.

idioms

1. not on speaking terms, not or no longer in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication, as because of resentment or estrangement.

   They had a squabble during the holidays, and now they're not on speaking terms.

2. on speaking terms,

   1. in a relationship close enough for or limited to friendly superficialities.

      I don't know the hosts well, but we are certainly on speaking terms.

   2. in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication.

      Now that the debt has been settled, I hope you and your partner are on speaking terms again.

speaking British  

/ ˈspiːkɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) eloquent, impressive, or striking

2. 1. able to speak

   2. (in combination) able to speak a particular language

      French-speaking

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Other Word Forms

• speakingness
  noun
• nonspeaking
  adjective
• well-speaking
  adjective
• speakingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of speaking

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at speak, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Explanation

Speaking is what we do when we talk to each other, either out loud or through sign language. Many classrooms have a rule that speaking is not allowed during quizzes and exams. In addition to the speaking we do to communicate feelings and ideas, there's also public speaking, when someone gives a speech in front of an audience. And if you're not on speaking terms with someone, it means that you're so angry with each other that you don't talk anymore.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

speaking

Somerville said: "It's felt really difficult and to see that many people supporting us and speaking about us and wrapping their arms around Cleveland - it's helping us through."

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

"The trauma of this event is enormous," he told a Geneva press conference, speaking from Kathmandu.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

In the meantime it’s nice to see that the very real people who make their livelihoods building U.S. technical capacity are now speaking up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Be sure to vote and then watch the fallout, metaphorically speaking — hopefully not literally.

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026

And the only person I can ask for help isn’t speaking to me.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller