bespeak

verb

be·​speak bi-ˈspēk 

bē-

bespoke bi-ˈspōk 

bē-

; bespoken bi-ˈspō-kən 

bē-

; bespeaking

transitive verb

1

: to hire, engage, or claim beforehand

2

: to speak to especially with formality : address

3

: request

bespeak a favor

4

a

: indicate, signify

her performance bespeaks considerable practice

b

: to show beforehand : foretell

Synonyms of bespeak

• book

Examples of bespeak in a Sentence

Her newest album bespeaks a great talent for writing songs.

bespoke the rental car weeks in advance of their trip

Recent Examples on the Web

The queen arrived in an Anna Valentine bespoke chiffon dress in white, which she was first spotted wearing at Royal Ascot in 2025. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

In the first episode, Temple wears a costume that bespeaks Dorothy Gale’s famous gingham dress. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

Retirement savers are hoarding cash Retirement savers also reported keeping a sizeable share of their savings in cash, a choice that bespeaks mistrust in financial markets. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Art What to call objects that bespeak both the three-dimensionality of sculpture and the surface drama of painting? — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bespeak

• antique
• batik
• boutique
• cacique
• comique
• critique
• grosbeak
• midweek
• mystique
• oblique
• physique
• pratique

Kids Definition

bespeak

verb

be·​speak bi-ˈspēk 

bespoke -ˈspōk  ; bespoken -ˈspō-kən  ; bespeaking

1

: to ask or arrange for in advance

2

: to make plain : show

her performance bespeaks much practice