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
-
speaking
present participle
-
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
-
speaking
present participle
-
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:
"Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week," Cummins said on social media.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026
Anyone in these groups who is considering a new activity or a more physically demanding exercise routine should first speak with their treating physician, general practitioner, or a sports medicine specialist.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2026
"If Europe could identify one person to speak on their behalf, that would be a bigger achievement than getting the Russians to include them in the negotiations," he said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026
Ruaridh, in one of the earlier episodes this season you also get to speak a little bit of Italian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026
“I speak English and understand most words under three syllables.”
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
He speaks with slight trepidation about his upcoming viewing of the concert documentary, which chronicles Osbourne’s final live performance and Sabbath reunion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026
‘The fact that employers are looking beyond traditional benefits like health insurance and retirement plans to offer homeownership support speaks volumes about how difficult buying a home has become, even for people with steady jobs.’
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 11, 2026
BBC journalist Tabby Wilson visits one of Australia’s most famous Jacaranda photo spots and speaks to visitors who have traveled from across the globe to see the blooms.
From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026
The confusion around Æthelstan speaks to how famously squeamish the English are when it comes to celebrating England, a nation so old it remains perennially confused about its origin story.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 8, 2026
While Mom speaks to his teacher in front of Pinon Elementary, Javier squeezes my hand so hard it hurts.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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
For instance, thus spake the tree: “253! Time and time again! Bob! Go now!”
From The Guardian ● May 22, 2017
Thus spake Zarathustra He humbly said you listen to me and choose for yourself.
From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2016
He spake to me again, this time in warning.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Trump said earlier this week he spoke to the Nvidia CEO, who said he had no idea Alice Huang was a spy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 2026
We spoke on the phone three weeks ago.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026
Analysts who spoke to AFP cautioned expectations should be kept to a minimum.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026
Lepassaar spoke to AFP in Brussels where he unveiled the Athens-based agency's latest biennial report on the state of the EU's cybersecurity.
From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2026
He had followed her directions as best he could, but she spoke only in Diné, and he knew just a few words here and there.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Emma McNally, CEO at Tourettes Action, said users she had spoken to had given the device "nothing but praise".
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026
Harris-Dawson has taken meetings with Raman over the last week and spoken positively about the mayor-elect since her win, and the two jointly addressed reporters during council Tuesday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026
“We have not spoken publicly for the better part of the last two years, and it’s not because we haven’t had anything to say,” Justin said.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026
He is probably the only person in the world that could have spoken that sentence with the authority that he might have heard personally from both these superpower leaders.
From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026
Or at least overheard my name spoken since we were seated only one row in front of her.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Joe, in the reunion scene, we see Billy speaking to someone off camera.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026
"But if the reality of death is hard to face, then making a living is even harder," said the 52-year-old, speaking under a pseudonym for security reasons.
From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026
Your boyfriend’s rent is not, strictly speaking, guaranteed income, but I assume you could find a lodger if you needed one.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 11, 2026
At that point, mathematically speaking the impact is greater than one single newsroom breaching an injunction.
From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026
“I don’t think anyone sent a bunch of babies in a time machine,” Angela said, speaking very precisely.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
