speak

1 of 2

verb

ˈspēk 

spoke ˈspōk  ; spoken ˈspō-kən  ; speaking

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 entry 3

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

speakable

ˈspē-kə-bəl 

adjective

-speak

2 of 2

noun combining form

ˌspēk

—used to form especially nonce words denoting a particular kind of jargon

Californiaspeak

Phrases

to speak of

: worthy of mention or notice

—usually used in negative constructions

no progress to speak of

Synonyms

Verb

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

Examples of speak in a Sentence

Verb

Have you two spoken since yesterday?

She and I spoke this morning.

He never speaks at the meetings.

Without speaking, she walked from the room.

They were speaking in Japanese.

When I said you were my best friend, I was speaking sincerely.

She must be speaking the truth.

Not a word was spoken between them the whole time.

He has laryngitis and can't speak.

She speaks with a Southern accent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As a result, many people who would previously have been institutionalized—those who can’t speak, for example, or move most of their body—are able to communicate and use the internet. —S. I. Rosenbaum, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2024

President Joe Biden, who spoke with Andrés last week, expressed outrage over the World Central Kitchen deaths. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control that often leaves patients prisoners in their own bodies, unable to move, speak, swallow and, eventually, even breathe. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

Those who spoke at Garcia’s sentencing told harrowing stories of assault, coercion and brutality during the hours-long shoots, when many wept, bled, vomited, cried out in pain or begged for the filming to stop — scenes that were carefully edited from the final video. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Most relatives and friends of the murder victims spoke on the condition of anonymity, concerned that the killers might win new pardons and come after them. —Milana Mazaeva, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Several speakers followed, including representatives from Building Homes for Heroes, Chase Bank, Gosar and Hall. Hall, who is a Vietnam War veteran, spoke at the ceremony, thanking Sampson for his service and welcoming him to the Surprise area. —Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024

Feyre and her family live in a land that is definitely probably not England in an unspecified time where voting seems not to exist, but women can speak in public without being burned at the stake. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2024

Donald and McVay spoke at length the day after the playoff loss. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun combining form

newspeak

First Known Use

Verb

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

Phrases Containing speak

• not speak a word
• not speak a word of
• so to speak
• speak one's mind
• speak in tongues
• speak of
• speak for
• speak/talk the same language
• speak out
• speak/talk of the devil
• speak up
• speak/talk with (a) forked tongue
• speak well/poorly for
• the facts speak for themselves
• speak volumes
• to speak of
• speak for themselves

Kids Definition

speak

verb

ˈspēk 

spoke ˈspōk  ; spoken ˈspō-kən  ; speaking

1

: to utter words : talk

2

: to utter in words

speak the truth

3

: to mention in speech or writing

spoke of being ill

4

: to serve as spokesperson

spoke for the group

5

: to express feelings in ways other than by words

actions speak louder than words

6

: to use or be able to use in talking

speaks Spanish

speakable

ˈspē-kə-bəl 

adjective