speak

speak

verb \ˈspēk\

spoke \ˈspōk\ spo·ken \ˈspō-kən\ speak·ing

Definition of SPEAK

intransitive verb

1

a : to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice : talk

b (1) : to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally (2) : to extend a greeting (3) : to be friendly enough to engage in conversation <still were not speaking after the dispute>

c (1) : to express oneself before a group (2) : to address one's remarks <speak to the issue>

2

a : to make a written statement <his diaries…spoke…of his entrancement with death — Sy Kahn>

b : to use such an expression —often used in the phrase so to speak <was at the enemy's gates, so to speak — C. S. Forester>

c : to serve as spokesperson

3

a : to express feelings by other than verbal means <actions speak louder than words>

b : signal

c : to be interesting or attractive : appeal <great music…speaks directly to the emotions — A. N. Whitehead>

4

: to make a request or claim —used with for —usually used in passive constructions <the seat was already spoken for>

5

: to make a characteristic or natural sound <all at once the thunder spoke — George Meredith>

6

a : testify

b : to be indicative or suggestive <his gold…spoke of riches in the land — Julian Dana>

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to utter with the speaking voice : pronounce (2) : to give a recitation of : declaim

b : to express orally : declare <free to speak their minds>

c : address, accost; especially : hail

2

: to make known in writing : state

3

: to use or be able to use in speaking <speaks Spanish>

4

: to indicate by other than verbal means

5

archaic : describe, depict

— speak·able \ˈspē-kə-bəl\ adjective

— to speak of

: worthy of mention or notice —usually used in negative constructions <no progress to speak of>

Examples of SPEAK

1. Have you two spoken since yesterday?
2. She and I spoke this morning.
3. He never speaks at the meetings.
4. Without speaking, she walked from the room.
5. They were speaking in Japanese.
6. When I said you were my best friend, I was speaking sincerely.
7. She must be speaking the truth.
8. Not a word was spoken between them the whole time.
9. He has laryngitis and can't speak.
10. She speaks with a Southern accent.

Origin of SPEAK

Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan; akin to Old High German sprehhan to speak, Greek spharageisthai to crackle

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SPEAK

Synonyms

articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, say, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize

Related Words

air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice; blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot; advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish; affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow; breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, splutter, spout, whisper; clothe, couch, formulate, formulize, phrase, put, word; comment, pipe up (with), remark; rip (out), snarl

Near Antonyms

stifle, suppress

Rhymes with SPEAK

beak, bleak, cheek, chic, cleek, clique, creak, creek, Creek, eke, flic, freak, geek, gleek, Greek, keek, leak, leek, meek, peak, peek, peke, pic, pique, reek, screak, seek, sheikh, shriek, sic, Sikh, sleek, sneak, squeak, steek, streak, streek, teak, tweak, weak, week