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

Maslova said all the furniture in the space will be bespoke and created by artisans in India. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 June 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

Trump’s outbursts bespoke the frustration of a thoroughly incompetent ruler who began a war with no plan for how to conduct or conclude it and was unprepared for Iran’s resistance. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026

Planning and thievery on this scale bespeaks a ring of metal poaching. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 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