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 Word Forms

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

Denmark's representative Elsebeth Sondergaard Krone, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the bloc "stands firm in defence of the court in the face of threats and sanctions against the court".

Read more on Barron's

The first attempt to access the report at the address where it was to eventually be posted occurred at 05:16 U.K. time, more than seven hours before Reeves was due to begin speaking.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Events for the president will range from speaking in Parliament to meeting German Premier League footballers to visiting the David Bowie Centre in the Victoria and Albert Museum's new wing in east London.

Read more on BBC

“We just don’t just sit and cry looking at the churches and at the glory of the past,” said Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis, a Greek Orthodox bishop, speaking at the patriarchate’s Istanbul headquarters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Winter - meteorologically speaking - has started on a very wet note with rain across much of the UK.

Read more on BBC