upspeak

noun

up·speak | \ˈəp-ˌspēk

variants: or less commonly up-speak

Definition of upspeak

: uptalk Speak with confidence. Lots of people have speech patterns that convey uncertainty. Eliminate upspeak—giving the last syllable a higher inflection. — Kathryn Rem, The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Illinois), 21 June 1998 … the giddy upspeak of the L.A. Basin (Hi? My name is Mary?) …— Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2000

Other Words from upspeak

upspeak or less commonly up-speak intransitive verb upspoke\ˈəp-ˌspōk

\ also up-spoke; upspoken\ˈəp-ˌspō-kən

\ also up-spoken; upspeaking also up-speaking; upspeaks also up-speaks

There's this linguist? Cynthia McLemore? Who studied female students at the University of Texas? Who up-speak a lot? And she found out that up-talk may very well serve a useful purpose. All those up inflections? They draw attention to what one says, McLemore claims. — Bonnie McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 28 Nov. 1993