speaking

[ spee-king ]

/ ˈspi kɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR speaking ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

adjective

that speaks.

used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking: the speaking voice.

of or relating to declamation.

giving information as if by speech: a speaking proof of a thing.

highly expressive: speaking eyes.

lifelike: a speaking likeness.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for speaking

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.

on speaking terms,

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.
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.

Origin of speaking

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at speak, -ing¹, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM speaking

speak·ing·ly, adverbspeak·ing·ness, nounnon·speak·ing, adjectivewell-speak·ing, adjective

Words nearby speaking

speak volumes, speakeasy, speaker, speaker of the house, speakerphone, speaking, speaking clock, speaking in tongues, speaking trumpet, speaking tube, speaking type

Definition for speaking (2 of 2)

speak

[ speek ]

/ spik /

verb (used without object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; 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 by any means; convey significance.

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; 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.

Origin of speak

before 900; Middle English speken, Old English specan, variant of sprecan; cognate with German sprechen (Old High German sprehhan; compare variant spehhan)

SYNONYMS 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.

12 pronounce, articulate.

13 say.

15 disclose.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR speak ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM speak

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for speaking

Speaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope.
Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages|Jamie Dettmer, Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Mona Iraqi is responsible for 25 families losing their lives,” he said, speaking figuratively.
Sisi Is Persecuting, Prosecuting, and Publicly Shaming Egypt’s Gays|Bel Trew|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking of the literature you love, the Bloomsbury writers crop up in your collection repeatedly.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes democracy and liberalism are about speaking up about the great issues, like a massive foreign war.
A Few Great Men Too Many: Aaron Sorkin Doesn’t Think You Can Handle the Truth|Arthur Chu|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Both the Republicans in Congress and the American-Cuban community in exile have been speaking out against the warming relations.
Up To Speed: The Cuba Embargo|Nina Strochlic|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But as his father was speaking again the student turned his serious face toward the pulpit.
Tess of the Storm Country|Grace Miller White
"Yes, yes; quite so," I said, speaking perhaps a trifle impatiently.
Those Times And These|Irvin S. Cobb
And in speaking of domination, I do not mean the domination of the tiger.
Tragic Sense Of Life|Miguel de Unamuno
But, in speaking of his disposition, I have no intention whatever to give him a character for amiability.
Round-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and Fancy|Frank Richard Stockton
After all, this was her aunt, and she believed she was speaking to her niece.
The Rebellion of Margaret|Geraldine Mockler

British Dictionary definitions for speaking (1 of 2)

speaking

/ (ˈspiːkɪŋ) /

adjective

(prenominal) eloquent, impressive, or striking

able to speak
(in combination) able to speak a particular languageFrench-speaking

British Dictionary definitions for speaking (2 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

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

Idioms and Phrases with speaking

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

speaking

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Idioms for speaking

Origin of speaking

OTHER WORDS FROM speaking

Words nearby speaking

Definition for speaking (2 of 2)

verb (used without object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

verb (used with object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of speak

SYNONYMS FOR speak

OTHER WORDS FROM speak

Example sentences from the Web for speaking

British Dictionary definitions for speaking (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for speaking (2 of 2)

verb speaks, speaking, spoke or spoken

Derived forms of speak

Word Origin for speak

Idioms and Phrases with speaking

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

speaking

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Idioms for speaking

Origin of speaking

OTHER WORDS FROM speaking

Words nearby speaking

Definition for speaking (2 of 2)

verb (used without object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

verb (used with object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spo·ken or (Archaic) spoke; speak·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of speak

SYNONYMS FOR speak

OTHER WORDS FROM speak

Words related to speaking

Example sentences from the Web for speaking

British Dictionary definitions for speaking (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for speaking (2 of 2)

verb speaks, speaking, spoke or spoken

Derived forms of speak

Word Origin for speak

Idioms and Phrases with speaking