speaking

[ spee-king ]

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.

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.

speaking

/ ˈspiːkɪŋ /

adjective

1. prenominal eloquent, impressive, or striking
2. 1. able to speak
   2. in combination able to speak a particular language

      French-speaking

Other Words From

• speaking·ly adverb
• speaking·ness noun
• non·speaking adjective
• well-speaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of speaking¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

When Grylls, speaking in game, asks Crane if he is OK, his reply is swift: “Not really... I have nothing now.”

From BBC

"I'm open to speaking to them but I don't know what will happen yet."

From BBC

He said: "That just made me completely avoid him. I don’t remember ever speaking to him one-on-one after that."

From BBC

Housed beneath the White Building is what those speaking to Amnesty called an "execution room", where detainees in the Red Building would be transported to be hanged.

From BBC

“Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of elected officials who led the investigation, speaking in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

From Los Angeles Times