speak
verb (used without object)
to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk.
Jump To:
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speak
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-speak
-speaka combining form extracted from newspeak (coined by George Orwell in his novel,1984 ), used in the formation of compound words, usually derogatory, derisive, or facetious, that denote the style or vocabulary of a discipline, person, era, etc., as specified by the initial element.
speak
1 American
[speek]
/ spik /
verb (used without object)
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speaks,
present (3rd person singular)
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spoke,
past
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spake,
past (Archaic)
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spoken,
past participle
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speaking
present participle
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to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk.
He was too ill to speak.
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to communicate vocally; mention.
to speak to a person about various matters.
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to converse.
She spoke with him for an hour.
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to deliver an address, discourse, etc..
to speak at a meeting.
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to make a statement in written or printed words.
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to communicate, signify, or disclose something by any means; convey significance.
The voters have spoken loud and clear.
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Phonetics. to produce sounds or audible sequences of individual or concatenated sounds of a language, especially through phonation, amplification, and resonance, and through any of a variety of articulatory processes.
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(of a computer) to express data or other information audibly by means of an audio response unit.
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to emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report.
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Chiefly British. (of dogs) to bark when ordered.
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Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to bay on finding a scent.
verb (used with object)
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speaks,
present (3rd person singular)
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spoke,
past
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spake,
past (Archaic)
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spoken,
past participle
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speaking
present participle
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to utter vocally and articulately.
to speak words of praise.
- Synonyms:
- articulate, pronounce
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to express or make known with the voice.
to speak the truth.
- Synonyms:
- say
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to declare in writing or printing, or by any means of communication.
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to make known, indicate, or reveal.
- Synonyms:
- disclose
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to use, or be able to use, in oral utterance, as a language.
to speak French.
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(of a computer) to express or make known (data, prompts, etc.) by means of an audio response unit.
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Nautical. to communicate with (a passing vessel) at sea, as by voice or signal.
We spoke a whaler on the fourth day at sea.
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Archaic. to speak to or with.
verb phrase
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speak out to express one's opinion openly and unreservedly.
He was not afraid to speak out when it was something he believed in strongly.
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speak for
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to intercede for or recommend; speak in behalf of.
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to express or articulate the views of; represent.
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to choose or prefer; have reserved for oneself.
This item is already spoken for.
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speak to
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to address or respond to, as in speech or action.
The legislature must speak to the issue of gun violence.
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to be appealing or relevant to.
His music speaks to me on a very deep level.
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to provide evidence for.
Our company’s rapid growth speaks to the passion and commitment of our employees.
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idioms
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speak well for, to be an indication or reflection of (something commendable); testify admirably to.
Her manners speak well for her upbringing.
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to speak of, worth mentioning.
The country has no mineral resources to speak of.
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so to speak, to use a manner of speaking; figuratively speaking.
We still don't have our heads above water, so to speak.
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speak by the book, to say with great authority or precision.
I can't speak by the book, but I know this is wrong.
-speak
2
American
speak
1
British
/ spiːk /
verb
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to make (verbal utterances); utter (words)
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to communicate or express (something) in or as if in words
I speak the truth
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(intr) to deliver a speech, discourse, etc
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(tr) to know how to talk in (a language or dialect)
he does not speak German
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(intr) to make a characteristic sound
the clock spoke
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(intr) (of dogs, esp hounds used in hunting) to give tongue; bark
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(tr) nautical to hail and converse or communicate with (another vessel) at sea
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(intr) (of a musical instrument) to produce a sound
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to be a representative or advocate (of)
he speaks for all the members
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on good terms; friendly
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in a manner of speaking; as it were
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to express one's opinions frankly and plainly
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of a significant or worthwhile nature
we have had no support to speak of
-speak
2
British
suffix
speak
More Idioms
Usage
What is a basic definition of speak? Speak means to talk, to give a lecture or speech, or to use your voice to say something. The word speak has many other senses as a verb and is used in several idioms. Speak is a synonym of talk and means to use words and sounds to communicate. When humans speak with each other, we use language governed by rules to understand each other. Some birds, such as parrots and ravens, are able to imitate human voices. While they don’t actually understand the words they use, we still say these animals are able to speak.
- Real-life examples: It is very unlikely that you never speak to people. Some people use sign language to communicate because they are unable to speak. If you have a cold or sore throat, it is harder to speak.
- Used in a sentence: My throat hurts, so I am having trouble speaking.
- Used in a sentence: I was in the audience when the president spoke at our college.
- Real-life examples: Witnesses at trials are expected to speak the truth. In the past, in many countries it was often dangerous to speak against God or the country’s religion. People from France speak French.
- Used in a sentence: I knew the right answer, but I was too nervous to speak the words.
What does -speak mean? The combining form -speak is used like a suffix meaning “a way of talking” or "a variety of language." Often, it has a derogatory, or negative, connotation. It is occasionally used in a variety of informal or slang terms. The form -speak is derived from the word newspeak, from George Orwell's book 1984 (1949). Newspeak is the term Orwell coined to describe the way official language often "say[s] one thing in the guise of its opposite, especially in order to serve a political or ideological cause while pretending to be objective." Put simply, it is language used for propaganda, such as describing a forced labor camp as a "joycamp."
Synonym Usage
Speak, converse, talk mean to make vocal sounds, usually for purposes of communication. To speak often implies conveying information and may apply to anything from an informal remark to a scholarly presentation to a formal address: to speak sharply; to speak before Congress. To converse is to exchange ideas with someone by speaking: to converse with a friend. To talk is a close synonym for to speak but usually refers to less formal situations: to talk about the weather; to talk with a friend.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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speaksimple
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speakssimple
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have spokenperfect
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has spokenperfect
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am speakingprogressive
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are speakingprogressive
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is speakingprogressive
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have been speakingperfect progressive
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has been speakingperfect progressive
Past
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spakesimple
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spokesimple
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had spokenperfect
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was speakingprogressive
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were speakingprogressive
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had been speakingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of speak
First recorded before 900; Middle English speken, Old English specan, variant of sprecan; cognate with German sprechen ( Old High German sprehhan; compare variant spehhan )
Explanation
To speak is to talk. If a UFO lands in your yard, it will be easier to speak with the aliens if they've learned how to speak English — or if you know how to speak Martian. You can speak to your friend about something private, but you can also speak at the paleontology enthusiasts' convention, presenting your thoughts on the latest dinosaur discoveries. If you speak Spanish or Hindi, it means you are able to communicate in those languages, and if you speak for yourself, it means you offer your own opinions.
Vocabulary lists containing speak
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“This represents an important victory for the principle that women who speak out about sexual abuse should not be silenced by NDAs that contravene California law,” Barnett attorney Rosengart said in the notice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
The operation has involved days and nights of chaotic communication between oil tankers’ crew members—some of whom don’t speak or understand English—and the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
However, firm decisions have not been made and ministers want to consider the impact on local roads, and speak to Newport council, before it goes ahead.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Federal Reserve officials, including New York Fed President John Williams, are due to speak at various conferences.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
If I let her speak, she’ll screw this up.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
In this video, The Wall Street Journal analyzes Albanian court documents, travels to the development areas and speaks to the villagers at the heart of disputes over land ownership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
The former Prince Andrew is not a working royal - so Buckingham Palace no longer speaks on his behalf and is not involved in his legal battle.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
Issues are what Brooks starts with when she speaks to voters canvassing across Maine.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
"He really speaks very little, he's very withdrawn, very shy, off in his corner... he's a very solitary person," Saint-Eloi told AFP.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Mr. Berrycloth pans the room as he speaks, addressing all of us.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Thus spake one of the world’s most powerful men this week, after he gained more power still.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 6, 2022
Thus spake Martin Luther King Jr. at the end of the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march.
From Seattle Times ● May 31, 2020
Thus spake Kanye West to his wife, Kim Kardashian West, and, via the bully pulpit of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” to all of us.
From New York Times ● Dec. 19, 2018
For instance, thus spake the tree: “253! Time and time again! Bob! Go now!”
From The Guardian ● May 22, 2017
“Private Octavian Nothing. I spake of him yesterday. I am eager to present him to Your Lordship, if Your Lordship would be so indulgent.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
He spoke by video from a hotel room in Italy where he was attending a scientific meeting.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Together the Bakkers spoke of the souls saved and the hardships overcome by those who put their lives in the hands of the Lord.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
On a recent episode of What Next, host Mary Harris spoke to Piker and Mockler about whether the November midterm could be one of generational change, and whether that change is actually here already.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
The navigators spoke both English and Spanish and worked closely with patients to develop postpartum care plans, which were also shared with the medical team.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
Somebody was coming up the back porch steps, maybe Aunt Maud, so Tansy spoke low and fast.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Rhianon has spoken in-depth about her experience at her smallholding in Gwynedd as part of a new BBC iPlayer series It Happened To Me.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Carney said he had spoken Tuesday to Quebec's incoming separatist premier, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, a 49-year-old lawyer known by his initials, PSPP.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
A. Investors I’ve spoken with say they still are interested in buying shares in companies like those delaying IPOs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
It’s not the first time that the pope has spoken out about the relationship between AI and humanity.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
It was another line from that Scottish play whose title cannot be spoken.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
The avatar recurs throughout the film, speaking words drawn from Musk’s interviews and public appearances.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Tennessee inmate Christa Pike, who survived the state’s attempt to execute her by lethal injection, is conscious and speaking at the hospital where she’s being treated, her attorneys said Tuesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
"As an adult I should have thought carefully before speaking," added Lee, who was one of the overage players in his country's Under-23 squad and plays for Gangwon FC in South Korea's K League.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
The solution, she proposed, was El-Sayed planting his feet on the ground in those areas and speaking out against the bad practices of Arab business owners in Black communities.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
Maybe finding Wonders would require some asking, though speaking up did not come naturally to me, as Aunt Pretty liked to point out.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
