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
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. S. Forester
c
: to serve as spokesperson
3
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
George Meredith6
a
: testify
b
: to be indicative or suggestive
his gold … spoke of riches in the land—Julian Dana
Julian Dana1
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
ˌspēk
—used to form especially nonce words denoting a particular kind of jargon
Californiaspeak
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
JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Even then, Sitake and his former teammates were encouraged to speak freely in meetings, to suggest alternative schemes and to acknowledge ways to be different.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In the past, Ogles has spoken about his strategy of keeping campaign operations lean while redirecting donors to super PACs that later made independent expenditures supporting his campaign.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
In design and construction, clients returning or recommending us speaks louder than any survey.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speak
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
As early as the 1620s, the Dutch and English settlers who established farming and fishing communities came into conflict with the remnants of Algonquian-speaking peoples.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Even then, Sitake and his former teammates were encouraged to speak freely in meetings, to suggest alternative schemes and to acknowledge ways to be different.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In the past, Ogles has spoken about his strategy of keeping campaign operations lean while redirecting donors to super PACs that later made independent expenditures supporting his campaign.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
In design and construction, clients returning or recommending us speaks louder than any survey.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speak
Cite this Entry
“Speak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speak. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
speak
verb1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share