Entry Word: orate

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to talk as if giving an important and formal speech <politicians will orate lengthily at any opportunity>

Synonyms declaim, discourse, harangue, mouth (off)

Related Words rant, rave; lecture, preach; advertise, announce, broadcast, declare, proclaim, pronounce; speak, talk

2 to give a formal often extended talk on a subject <the famous anthropologist will orate about her latest research findings> — see talk 1