speaking

adjective

speak·​ing ˈspē-kiŋ How to pronounce speaking (audio)
1
a
: that speaks : capable of speech
b
: having a population that speaks a specified language
usually used in combination
English-speaking countries
c
: that involves talking or giving speeches
a speaking role
a speaking tour
2
: highly significant or expressive : eloquent
3
: resembling a living being or a real object

Examples of speaking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While the path to podcasting riches may not be paved with gold, the potential for generating a sustainable income through building of your personal brand, attracting clients and customers, and gaining more speaking opportunities is undeniably alluring. Meimei Fox, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Christie garnered more speaking time than most of his competitors but is almost certainly going nowhere as the most outspoken Trump critic in the field. Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2023 Numbers illustrate his fade: DeSantis had the fourth-most speaking time among the eight candidates, significantly less than either Ramaswamy or former Vice President Mike Pence, who engaged each other frequently. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2023 Owner Mark Cuban held a non-speaking role during a funeral scene. Dallas News, 7 July 2022 In the Netflix adaptation of The Dirt, Corabi is reduced to a non-speaking extra who gets about three seconds of camera time. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2022 Since no one mentions kids in Sondheim’s lyrics or Furth’s book scenes, Elliott has to add a non-speaking nightmare sequence, showing Bobbie’s tug-of-war between the attractions and repulsions of having a baby. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2021 Can Legendary make a Hobbs & Shaw-style team-up flick with two non-speaking kaiju? Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 5 Apr. 2021 City women are uniformly portrayed as drunk idiots, and the nearly nonexistent BIPOC appear in non-speaking roles in the service industry. Genevieve Angelson, Town & Country, 16 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'speaking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of speaking was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near speaking

Cite this Entry

“Speaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speaking. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

speaking

adjective
speak·​ing
: addressing matters not raised in the pleadings
a speaking motion
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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