Showing results for "speaking"

• present participle of speak.

speaking

American  

[spee-king] / ˈspi kɪŋ /

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.

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.

speaking British  

/ 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 Word Forms

• speakingness
  noun
• nonspeaking
  adjective
• well-speaking
  adjective
• speakingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of speaking

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

Explanation

Speaking is what we do when we talk to each other, either out loud or through sign language. Many classrooms have a rule that speaking is not allowed during quizzes and exams. In addition to the speaking we do to communicate feelings and ideas, there's also public speaking, when someone gives a speech in front of an audience. And if you're not on speaking terms with someone, it means that you're so angry with each other that you don't talk anymore.

Example Sentences

Speaking outside court, McKee's sister Nichola Corner said the justice system had "completely failed" her family.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

Speaking to the Telegraph in April, Harborne, a Thailand-based businessman, claimed he was "the reason" the government had announced a £100,000 cap on donations from British citizens living overseas.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

Speaking in Chicago in 1858, Lincoln argued that those who couldn’t trace their ancestry to the revolutionary generation could nonetheless look to the Declaration’s insistence that “all men are created equal.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

Speaking before Starmer's announcement she said she looked forward to being "released from my shame" because "we have always been accused of giving up our babies and we didn't give them up".

From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026

Speaking of the Zooms, Rabbi Gold has explained all the parts of the service to me so I’ll know what to expect on December 4.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman