speechless

1 of 2

adjective

speech·​less ˈspēch-ləs 

1

: unable to speak : dumb

2

: not speaking : silent

3

: not capable of being expressed in words

speechlessly adverb

speechlessness noun

speechlessness

2 of 2

noun

speech·​less·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being speechless

Synonyms of speechless

Adjective

• silent
• mute
• muted

Examples of speechless in a Sentence

Adjective

I was speechless with shock.

Your story left me speechless.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026

In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless. — Phil Helsel, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2023

Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless. — Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2023

Crockett was speechless when Tapper informed him that was not the case. — Bryan Pietsch, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

speechless

adjective

speech·​less ˈspēch-ləs 

1

: unable to speak

2

: not speaking for a time : silent

speechless with surprise

speechlessly adverb

speechlessness noun