英语词汇“speak”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

speak

(spiːk )

Word forms: speaks , speaking , spoke , spoken

1. verb A1

When you speak, you use your voice in order to say something.

He tried to speak, but for once, his voice had left him. [VERB]

He speaks with a lisp. [VERB]

I rang the hotel and spoke to Louie. [VERB + to]

She says she must speak with you at once. [VERB + with]

She cried when she spoke of Oliver. [V + of/about]

...as I spoke these idiotic words. [VERB noun]

spoken adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] B2

...a marked decline in the standards of written and spoken English.

Synonyms: verbal, voiced, expressed, uttered

2. verb B2

When someone speaks to a group of people, they make a speech.

When speaking to the seminar Mr Franklin spoke of his experience, gained on a recent visit to Trinidad. [VERB + to]

He's determined to speak at the Democratic Convention. [VERB]

The President spoke of the need for territorial compromise. [VERB + of]

Synonyms: talk, say something

3. verb

If you speak for a group of people, you make their views and demands known, or represent them.

He said it was the job of the Church to speak for the underprivileged. [VERB + for]

I speak for all 7,000 members of our organization. [VERB + for]

Obviously I can't speak for other people, but certainly no one I know would entertain the idea. [VERB for noun]

4. verb A1

If you speak a foreign language, you know the language and are able to have a conversation in it.

He doesn't speak English. [VERB noun]

Many of them can speak two or three or more languages. [VERB noun]

5. verb B1+

People sometimes mention something that has been written by saying what the author speaks of.

Throughout the book he speaks of the challenges his family has faced. [VERB + of]

The poet speaks of'the state as a ship, the civil wars as waves and storms. [VERB + as]

6. verb [with neg]

If two people are not speaking, they no longer talk to each other because they have quarrelled.

He is not speaking to his mother because of her friendship with his ex-wife. [VERB + to]

The co-stars are still not speaking. [VERB]

7. verb [no cont]

If you say that something speaks to you of a quality, experience, or feeling, you mean that it is evidence of it or expresses it.

His behaviour spoke of an early maturity. [VERB of noun]

The length of the car and the high polish of its fittings both spoke of money. [VERB of noun]

Their music speaks to us with an innate grandeur we can all understand. [VERB to noun]

8. verb [no cont]

If you say that something speaks for itself, you mean that its meaning or quality is so obvious that it does not need explaining or pointing out.

Mrs Turner has worked here for 25 years. Her record speaks for itself. [VERB + for]

The results speak for themselves. [V for pron-refl]

9. See also speaking

10. speak for yourself convention

If you say 'Speak for yourself' when someone has said something, you mean that what they have said is only their opinion or applies only to them. [informal]

'We're not blaming you,' Kate said. 'Speak for yourself,' Boris muttered.

11. be spoken for phrase

If a person or thing is spoken for or has been spoken for, someone has claimed them or asked for them, so no-one else can have them.

Maybe they simply don't fancy you, or maybe they're already spoken for.

By December last year most of the resources had been spoken for.

12. actions speak louder than words phrase

If you say that actions speak louder than words, you mean that people's actions show their real attitudes, rather than what they say. This expression is sometimes used to advise a person to do something positive.

13. to speak of phrase

Nothing to speak of means ' hardly anything' or 'only unimportant things'.

They have no weaponry to speak of.

'Any fresh developments?'—'Nothing to speak of.'

14. not to speak of phrase [cl PHR n]

You can use not to speak of when adding something which your previous statement also applies to, or applies to even more than other things.

This caused consternation among universities, not to speak of the students affected.

15. speak well/highly of sb phrase

If you speak well of someone or speak highly of someone, you say good things about them. If you speak ill of someone, you criticize them.

Both spoke highly of the incumbent president.

It seemed she found it difficult to speak ill of anyone.

16. so to speak phrase

You use so to speak to draw attention to the fact that you are describing or referring to something in a way that may be amusing or unusual rather than completely accurate.

I ought not to tell you but I will, since you're in the family, so to speak.

The five countries have now all passed, so to speak, their entry test.

17. on speaking terms phrase

If you are on speaking terms with someone, you are quite friendly with them and often talk to them.

For a long time her mother and her grandmother had hardly been on speaking terms.

[Also + with]

18. speak human phrase

If you say that a politician speaks human, you mean that they are good at communicating with the general public.

He spoke fluent human because he had humanity in every vein and every cell.

19. to speak your mind phrase

If you speak your mind, you say firmly and honestly what you think about a situation, even if this may offend or upset people.

She has never been afraid to speak her mind.

20. to speak volumes phrase

If something such as an action speaks volumes about a person or thing, it gives you a lot of information about them.

What you wear speaks volumes about you. [+ about]

Their absence spoke volumes.

Phrasal verbs:

speak out

phrasal verb B2

If you speak out against something or in favour of something, you say publicly that you think it is bad or good.

He spoke out strongly against selling off state-owned property. [VERB PARTICLE preposition]

Viktor Shklovsky spoke out in defence of the book. [VERB PARTICLE preposition]

Even then, she continued to speak out at rallies around the country. [VERB PARTICLE]

speak to

1. phrasal verb

To speak to an issue or question is to speak about it or comment on it with knowledge and authority.

I will speak to this issue at the appropriate juncture. [VERBPHRASE noun]

No one is really speaking to the needs, wants, and desires of young people. [VERBPHRASE noun]

2. phrasal verb

If something speaks to an issue or question, it is relevant to it.

Other scientists interviewed said the incident spoke to a wider issue. [VERBPHRASE noun]

This speaks to a more general point. [VERBPHRASE noun]

speak up

1. phrasal verb B2

If you speak up, you say something, especially to defend a person or protest about something, rather than just saying nothing.

Uncle Herbert never argued, never spoke up for himself. [VERB PARTICLE + for]

Don't be afraid of speaking up. [VERB PARTICLE]

I am not suggesting that individuals never speak up about wrong-doing. [VERB PARTICLE preposition]

2. phrasal verb [no cont] B2

If you ask someone to speak up, you are asking them to speak more loudly.

I'm quite deaf–you'll have to speak up. [VERB PARTICLE]

-speak

(-spiːk )

combining form

-speak is used to form nouns which refer to the kind of language used by a particular person or by people involved in a particular activity. You use -speak when you disapprove of this kind of language because it is difficult for other people to understand. [disapproval]

Solicitor-speak is believed to put many people off making a will.

Unfortunately, the message is almost lost within his constant management-speak.

Idioms:

speak of the devil or talk of the devil

said when someone you have just been talking about arrives unexpectedly

`Speak of the devil,' she greeted Tom, smiling.

actions speak louder than words

said to mean that people show what they really think and feel by what they do, rather than by what they say

The government needs to understand that actions speak louder than words.

speak with forked tongue

to lie or deliberately mislead people

He speaks with forked tongue. I don't trust him and I don't like him.

speak volumes

to reveal or imply a lot about a situation

What you wear speaks volumes, and it can lie, too.

Collocations:

speak French

I also speak fluent French, which is an advantage.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

He told his sergeant he spoke French, volunteered for a reconnaissance patrol.

Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE

We often got turned down because we couldn't speak fluent French.

The Sun (2012)

speak the truth

I have a great trust in them because they always speak the truth.

Times, Sunday Times

It feels like it's finally time to speak my truth.

Times,Sunday Times

You learn not to speak the truth, so as to maintain the peace.

Times, Sunday Times

In the process, we sped right past our parallel responsibility to speak the truth in love.

Christianity Today

How can we learn to speak the truth in love?

Christianity Today

speak truthfully

So make the most of it: speak truthfully, live passionately.

Times, Sunday Times

Her lyrics speak truthfully about life, love and disaster and there's nothing too in depth.

Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0

Incorrect speech, at its most basic, reflects speaking truthfully.

Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0

speak warmly

Those who know him well speak warmly of his kind, almost gentle nature, while this softer side has also been witnessed by complete strangers.

Times, Sunday Times

Friends who have eaten there speak warmly of it.

Times, Sunday Times

Health secretaries speak warmly of whistleblowers, as they should.

Times,Sunday Times

Youths, who last week had been preparing for revenge, spoke warmly about all members of their community.

Times, Sunday Times

He spoke warmly of his old school in his first speech as prime minister.

Times, Sunday Times

speak well

It speaks well of her that she chose the polite option.

Times,Sunday Times (2020)

To some degree this speaks well of both sides.

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

They spoke very well of him.

Times, Sunday Times (2011)

Translations:

Chinese: 发言

Japanese: 話す

单词	speak
释义	speak (spiːk ) Word forms: speaks , speaking , spoke , spoken 1. verb A1 When you speak, you use your voice in order to say something. He tried to speak, but for once, his voice had left him. [VERB] He speaks with a lisp. [VERB] I rang the hotel and spoke to Louie. [VERB + to] She says she must speak with you at once. [VERB + with] She cried when she spoke of Oliver. [V + of/about] ...as I spoke these idiotic words. [VERB noun] spoken adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] B2 ...a marked decline in the standards of written and spoken English. Synonyms: verbal, voiced, expressed, uttered 2. verb B2 When someone speaks to a group of people, they make a speech. When speaking to the seminar Mr Franklin spoke of his experience, gained on a recent visit to Trinidad. [VERB + to] He's determined to speak at the Democratic Convention. [VERB] The President spoke of the need for territorial compromise. [VERB + of] Synonyms: talk, say something 3. verb If you speak for a group of people, you make their views and demands known, or represent them. He said it was the job of the Church to speak for the underprivileged. [VERB + for] I speak for all 7,000 members of our organization. [VERB + for] Obviously I can't speak for other people, but certainly no one I know would entertain the idea. [VERB for noun] 4. verb A1 If you speak a foreign language, you know the language and are able to have a conversation in it. He doesn't speak English. [VERB noun] Many of them can speak two or three or more languages. [VERB noun] 5. verb B1+ People sometimes mention something that has been written by saying what the author speaks of. Throughout the book he speaks of the challenges his family has faced. [VERB + of] The poet speaks of'the state as a ship, the civil wars as waves and storms. [VERB + as] 6. verb [with neg] If two people are not speaking, they no longer talk to each other because they have quarrelled. He is not speaking to his mother because of her friendship with his ex-wife. [VERB + to] The co-stars are still not speaking. [VERB] 7. verb [no cont] If you say that something speaks to you of a quality, experience, or feeling, you mean that it is evidence of it or expresses it. His behaviour spoke of an early maturity. [VERB of noun] The length of the car and the high polish of its fittings both spoke of money. [VERB of noun] Their music speaks to us with an innate grandeur we can all understand. [VERB to noun] 8. verb [no cont] If you say that something speaks for itself, you mean that its meaning or quality is so obvious that it does not need explaining or pointing out. Mrs Turner has worked here for 25 years. Her record speaks for itself. [VERB + for] The results speak for themselves. [V for pron-refl] 9. See also speaking 10. speak for yourself convention If you say 'Speak for yourself' when someone has said something, you mean that what they have said is only their opinion or applies only to them. [informal] 'We're not blaming you,' Kate said. 'Speak for yourself,' Boris muttered. 11. be spoken for phrase If a person or thing is spoken for or has been spoken for, someone has claimed them or asked for them, so no-one else can have them. Maybe they simply don't fancy you, or maybe they're already spoken for. By December last year most of the resources had been spoken for. 12. actions speak louder than words phrase If you say that actions speak louder than words, you mean that people's actions show their real attitudes, rather than what they say. This expression is sometimes used to advise a person to do something positive. 13. to speak of phrase Nothing to speak of means ' hardly anything' or 'only unimportant things'. They have no weaponry to speak of. 'Any fresh developments?'—'Nothing to speak of.' 14. not to speak of phrase [cl PHR n] You can use not to speak of when adding something which your previous statement also applies to, or applies to even more than other things. This caused consternation among universities, not to speak of the students affected. 15. speak well/highly of sb phrase If you speak well of someone or speak highly of someone, you say good things about them. If you speak ill of someone, you criticize them. Both spoke highly of the incumbent president. It seemed she found it difficult to speak ill of anyone. 16. so to speak phrase You use so to speak to draw attention to the fact that you are describing or referring to something in a way that may be amusing or unusual rather than completely accurate. I ought not to tell you but I will, since you're in the family, so to speak. The five countries have now all passed, so to speak, their entry test. 17. on speaking terms phrase If you are on speaking terms with someone, you are quite friendly with them and often talk to them. For a long time her mother and her grandmother had hardly been on speaking terms. [Also + with] 18. speak human phrase If you say that a politician speaks human, you mean that they are good at communicating with the general public. He spoke fluent human because he had humanity in every vein and every cell. 19. to speak your mind phrase If you speak your mind, you say firmly and honestly what you think about a situation, even if this may offend or upset people. She has never been afraid to speak her mind. 20. to speak volumes phrase If something such as an action speaks volumes about a person or thing, it gives you a lot of information about them. What you wear speaks volumes about you. [+ about] Their absence spoke volumes. Phrasal verbs: speak out phrasal verb B2 If you speak out against something or in favour of something, you say publicly that you think it is bad or good. He spoke out strongly against selling off state-owned property. [VERB PARTICLE preposition] Viktor Shklovsky spoke out in defence of the book. [VERB PARTICLE preposition] Even then, she continued to speak out at rallies around the country. [VERB PARTICLE] speak to 1. phrasal verb To speak to an issue or question is to speak about it or comment on it with knowledge and authority. I will speak to this issue at the appropriate juncture. [VERBPHRASE noun] No one is really speaking to the needs, wants, and desires of young people. [VERBPHRASE noun] 2. phrasal verb If something speaks to an issue or question, it is relevant to it. Other scientists interviewed said the incident spoke to a wider issue. [VERBPHRASE noun] This speaks to a more general point. [VERBPHRASE noun] speak up 1. phrasal verb B2 If you speak up, you say something, especially to defend a person or protest about something, rather than just saying nothing. Uncle Herbert never argued, never spoke up for himself. [VERB PARTICLE + for] Don't be afraid of speaking up. [VERB PARTICLE] I am not suggesting that individuals never speak up about wrong-doing. [VERB PARTICLE preposition] 2. phrasal verb [no cont] B2 If you ask someone to speak up, you are asking them to speak more loudly. I'm quite deaf–you'll have to speak up. [VERB PARTICLE] -speak (-spiːk ) combining form -speak is used to form nouns which refer to the kind of language used by a particular person or by people involved in a particular activity. You use -speak when you disapprove of this kind of language because it is difficult for other people to understand. [disapproval] Solicitor-speak is believed to put many people off making a will. Unfortunately, the message is almost lost within his constant management-speak. Idioms: speak of the devil or talk of the devil said when someone you have just been talking about arrives unexpectedly `Speak of the devil,' she greeted Tom, smiling. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers actions speak louder than words said to mean that people show what they really think and feel by what they do, rather than by what they say The government needs to understand that actions speak louder than words. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers speak with forked tongue to lie or deliberately mislead people He speaks with forked tongue. I don't trust him and I don't like him. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers speak volumes to reveal or imply a lot about a situation What you wear speaks volumes, and it can lie, too. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Collocations: speak French I also speak fluent French, which is an advantage. Times, Sunday Times (2009) He told his sergeant he spoke French, volunteered for a reconnaissance patrol. Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE We often got turned down because we couldn't speak fluent French. The Sun (2012) speak the truth I have a great trust in them because they always speak the truth. Times, Sunday Times It feels like it's finally time to speak my truth. Times,Sunday Times You learn not to speak the truth, so as to maintain the peace. Times, Sunday Times In the process, we sped right past our parallel responsibility to speak the truth in love. Christianity Today How can we learn to speak the truth in love? Christianity Today speak truthfully So make the most of it: speak truthfully, live passionately. Times, Sunday Times Her lyrics speak truthfully about life, love and disaster and there's nothing too in depth. Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 Incorrect speech, at its most basic, reflects speaking truthfully. Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 speak warmly Those who know him well speak warmly of his kind, almost gentle nature, while this softer side has also been witnessed by complete strangers. Times, Sunday Times Friends who have eaten there speak warmly of it. Times, Sunday Times Health secretaries speak warmly of whistleblowers, as they should. Times,Sunday Times Youths, who last week had been preparing for revenge, spoke warmly about all members of their community. Times, Sunday Times He spoke warmly of his old school in his first speech as prime minister. Times, Sunday Times speak well It speaks well of her that she chose the polite option. Times,Sunday Times (2020) To some degree this speaks well of both sides. Times, Sunday Times (2007) They spoke very well of him. Times, Sunday Times (2011) Translations: Chinese: 发言 Japanese: 話す
随便看	out of the picture out of the picture out of the question out of the running out of the top drawer out-of-the-way out of the way out-of-the-way place out of thin air out of thin air out of this world out of this world out of time out of touch out of touch out-of-town out of tune out of tune with out of wedlock out of whack out of work out-of-work out of your depth out of your hands out of your head