speak

[ speek ]

/ spik /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: speak / speaking / speaks / spoken on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), spoke or (Archaic) spake

[speyk]; /speɪk/; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk: He was too ill to speak.

to communicate vocally; mention: to speak to a person about various matters.

to converse: She spoke with him for an hour.

to deliver an address, discourse, etc.: to speak at a meeting.

to make a statement in written or printed words.

to communicate, signify, or disclose something by any means; convey significance: The voters have spoken loud and clear.

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.

(of a computer) to express data or other information audibly by means of an audio response unit.

to emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report.

Chiefly British. (of dogs) to bark when ordered.

Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to bay on finding a scent.

verb (used with object), spoke or (Archaic) spake

[speyk]; /speɪk/; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

to utter vocally and articulately: to speak words of praise.

to express or make known with the voice: to speak the truth.

to declare in writing or printing, or by any means of communication.

to make known, indicate, or reveal.

to use, or be able to use, in oral utterance, as a language: to speak French.

(of a computer) to express or make known (data, prompts, etc.) by means of an audio response unit.

Nautical. to communicate with (a passing vessel) at sea, as by voice or signal: We spoke a whaler on the fourth day at sea.

Archaic. to speak to or with.

Verb Phrases

speak for,

to intercede for or recommend; speak in behalf of.
to express or articulate the views of; represent.
to choose or prefer; have reserved for oneself: This item is already spoken for.

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.

speak to,

to address or respond to, as in speech or action: The legislature must speak to the issue of gun violence.
to be appealing or relevant to: His music speaks to me on a very deep level.
to provide evidence for:Our company’s rapid growth speaks to the passion and commitment of our employees.

OTHER WORDS FOR speak

12 pronounce, articulate.

13 say.

15 disclose.

See synonyms for speak on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about speak

so to speak, to use a manner of speaking; figuratively speaking: We still don't have our heads above water, so to speak.

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 well for, to be an indication or reflection of (something commendable); testify admirably to: Her manners speak well for her upbringing.

to speak of, worth mentioning: The country has no mineral resources to speak of.

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 )

synonym study for speak

1. 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 WORDS FROM speak

speak·a·ble, adjectivespeak·a·ble·ness, nounspeak·a·bly, adverb

Words nearby speak

S.P.C.A., S.P.C.C., SPCK, SPD, SPDA, speak, speak down to, speakeasy, speaker, Speaker of the House, speakerphone

Other definitions for speak (2 of 2)

-speak

a 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: techspeak; artspeak; nukespeak; leetspeak; geek-speak.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT SPEAK

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.

If someone speaks at an event, they are giving a lecture or speech there. Special guests or honorary lecturers often speak at colleges, scientific conventions, or award ceremonies.

Used in a sentence: I was in the audience when the president spoke at our college.

When used as a transitive verb, speak means to use your voice to express something or to say something.

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.

Where does speak come from?

The first records of speak come from before the 900s. It comes from the Old English specan and is related to the Old High German spehhan, also meaning “to speak.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to speak?

speaker (noun)
speakable (adjective)
speakableness (noun)
speakably (adverb)
unspeakable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for speak?

What are some words that share a root or word element with speak?

What are some words that often get used in discussing speak?

How is speak used in real life?

Speak is a very common word that most often means to talk.

Hearing President Biden speak with empathy is a greater relief than I ever could’ve imagined

— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) January 20, 2021

My father really did me a favor when he taught me not to speak to people who don’t want to speak to me first.

— Yelitsa Jean-Charles (@TheYelitsa) November 3, 2020

This weekend on Science Fantastic, our guest is Nobel Laureate, Frank Wilczek, speaking about Newton, Einstein, dark matter and dark energy, and the future of physics.

— Dr. Michio Kaku (@michiokaku) January 14, 2021

Try using speak!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of speak?

A. talk
B. silence
C. say
D. tell

How to use speak in a sentence

Other researchers decoded speech from the brain signals of a paralyzed man who is unable to speak.
New technology can get inside your head. Are you ready?|Laura Sanders|February 11, 2021|Science News For Students
Every time she talks to a caller the connection feels real, even if it’s with someone she’ll never speak to again.
The loneliness of an interrupted adolescence|Ellen McCarthy|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Over the years, I’ve spoken with some helmet companies that are wary of adding a rotational-energy standard to the test, because there are disagreements over methodology.
The Trek WaveCel Helmet Lawsuit, Explained|Joe Lindsey|February 10, 2021|Outside Online
While Somali and Oromo may not be among the most-spoken languages in the state – or even the county – there are many residents who speak those languages in San Diego, home to the largest populations of those groups in the state.
African Communities Warn Language Issues Could Shut Them Out of Redistricting|Maya Srikrishnan|February 10, 2021|Voice of San Diego

“I was confused,” says the doctor, who requested anonymity because his employer will not allow him to speak to the media.
India is betting on glitchy software to inoculate 300 million people by August|Lindsay Muscato|February 10, 2021|MIT Technology Review
So we do demand justice and we do speak up and make demands.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Or has the see and hear and speak-no-evil stance of the Republican House persuaded him that he is in the clear?
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“We met the smuggler in the train station; he came to speak with us about the services he provided,” Yazbek says.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He disagrees, though, and says it is the duty of every person—men, especially—to speak up on this issue.
Can Hip-Hop Prevent Honor Killings?|Moral Courage|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were born in 51 countries and speak 59 foreign languages, but they seemed bound by a single purpose and resolve.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Perhaps you do not speak my language,” she said in Urdu, the tongue most frequently heard in Upper India.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Now first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
To be wiser than other men is to be honester than they; and strength of mind is only courage to see and speak the truth.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
Since this is a law of vibration, it is unscientific to speak of giving an overtone, for all tones contain overtones.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
When we speak against one capital vice, we ought to speak against its opposite; the middle betwixt both is the point for virtue.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou

British Dictionary definitions for speak (1 of 2)

speak

/ (spiːk) /

verb speaks, speaking, spoke or spoken

to make (verbal utterances); utter (words)

to communicate or express (something) in or as if in wordsI speak the truth

(intr) to deliver a speech, discourse, etc

(tr) to know how to talk in (a language or dialect)he does not speak German

(intr) to make a characteristic soundthe clock spoke

(intr) (of dogs, esp hounds used in hunting) to give tongue; bark

(tr) nautical to hail and converse or communicate with (another vessel) at sea

(intr) (of a musical instrument) to produce a sound

(intr foll by for) to be a representative or advocate (of)he speaks for all the members

on speaking terms on good terms; friendly

so to speak in a manner of speaking; as it were

speak one's mind to express one's opinions frankly and plainly

to speak of of a significant or worthwhile naturewe have had no support to speak of

See also speak for, speak out, speak to, speak up

Derived forms of speak

speakable, adjective

Word Origin for speak

Old English specan; related to Old High German spehhan, Middle High German spechten to gossip, Middle Dutch speken; see speech

British Dictionary definitions for speak (2 of 2)

-speak

suffix forming nouns

informal the language or jargon of a specific group, organization, or fieldcomputerspeak

Word Origin for -speak

C20: formed on the pattern of newspeak

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with speak

speak

In addition to the idioms beginning with speak

speak down to
speak for
speak of the devil
speak one's mind
speak one's piece
speak out
speak out of turn
speak the same language
speak too soon
speak up
speak volumes

also see:

actions speak louder than words
in a manner of speaking
nothing to speak of
not to mention (speak of)
on speaking terms
so to speak
to speak of

speak

OTHER WORDS FOR speak

Idioms about speak

Origin of speak

synonym study for speak

OTHER WORDS FROM speak

Words nearby speak

Other definitions for speak (2 of 2)

MORE ABOUT SPEAK

What is a basic definition of speak?

Where does speak come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is speak used in real life?

Try using speak!

Words related to speak

How to use speak in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for speak (1 of 2)

Derived forms of speak

Word Origin for speak

British Dictionary definitions for speak (2 of 2)

Word Origin for -speak

Other Idioms and Phrases with speak