Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense speaks, present participle speaking, past tense spoke, past participle spoken
1. verb
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]
spokenadjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
...a marked decline in the standards of written and spoken English.
Synonyms: verbal, voiced, expressed, uttered More Synonyms of speak
2. verb
When someone speaksto a group of people, they make a speech.
When speaking to the seminar Mr Franklin spoke of his experience, gained on a recentvisit 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 More Synonyms of speak
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 entertainthe idea. [VERBfor noun]
4. verb
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
People sometimes mention something that has been written by saying what the author speaks of.
Throughout the book Liu speaks of the abuse of Party power. [VERB + of]
St Paul speaks of the body as the 'temple of the Holy Spirit'. [VERB + as]
6. verb [with neg]
If two people arenotspeaking, 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 speaksto 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. [VERBof noun]
The length of the car and the high polish of its fittings both spoke of money. [VERBof noun]
Their music speaks to us with an innate grandeur we can all understand. [VERBto noun]
8. verb [no cont]
If you say that something speaks foritself, 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. [Vfor pron-refl]
9. See also speaking
10.
See speak for yourself
11.
See be spoken for
12.
See actions speak louder than words
13.
See to speak of
14.
See not to speak of
15.
See speak well/highly of sb
16.
See so to speak
17.
See on speaking terms
18. to speak your mind
19. to speak volumes
Phrasal verbs:
See speak out
See speak up
More Synonyms of speak
-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.
speak in British English
(spiːk)
verbWord forms: speaks, speaking, spoke or spoken
1.
to make (verbal utterances); utter (words)
2.
to communicate or express (something) in or as if in words
I speak the truth
3. (intransitive)
to deliver a speech, discourse, etc
4. (transitive)
to know how to talk in (a language or dialect)
he does not speak German
5. (intransitive)
to make a characteristic sound
the clock spoke
6. (intransitive)
(of dogs, esp hounds used in hunting) to give tongue; bark
7. (transitive) nautical
to hail and converse or communicate with (another vessel) at sea
8. (intransitive)
(of a musical instrument) to produce a sound
9. (intransitive; foll byfor)
to be a representative or advocate (of)
he speaks for all the members
10. on speaking terms
11. so to speak
12. speak one's mind
13. to speak of
Derived forms
speakable (ˈspeakable)
adjective
Word origin
Old English specan; related to Old High German spehhan, Middle High German spechten to gossip, Middle Dutch speken; see speech
-speak in British English
suffix forming nouns
informal
the language or jargon of a specific group, organization, or field
to express or communicate opinions, feelings, ideas, etc. by or as by talking
speak in our behalf, actions speak louder than words
3.
to make a request or reservation (for)
usually in the passive voice
a seat not yet spoken for
4.
to make a speech; deliver an address or lecture; discourse
5.
to be a spokesman (for)
6.
to talk with another or others; converse
7.
to make or give out sound, as a gun firing or a dog barking
verb transitive
8.
to express or make known by or as by speaking
9.
to use or be able to use (a given language) in speaking
10.
to utter (words) orally
11. Archaic
to speak to; address
12. Archaic
to declare or show to be; reveal
13. Nautical
to hail (a ship)
Idioms:
so to speak
speak for itself
speak out
speak to
speak well for
to speak of
SYNONYMY NOTE: speak, talk are generally synonymous, but , speak often connotes formal address to an auditor or audience [who will speak at the dinner?] and talk often suggests informal colloquial conversation [we were talking at dinner]; converse1 suggests a talking together by two or more people so as to exchange ideas and information[they are conversing in the parlor]; discourse suggests a somewhat formal, detailed, extensive talking to another or others [she was discoursing to us on Keats]
Derived forms
speakable (ˈspeakable)
adjective
Word origin
ME speken < OE specan, earlier sprecan, akin to Ger sprechen < IE base *sp(h)er(e)-g-, to strew, sprinkle > spark1, L spargere, to sprinkle: basic sense “to scatter (words)”
-speak in American English
(spik)
jargon, language
computerspeak, doublespeak
More idioms containing
speak
speak of the devil
actions speak louder than words
speak with forked tongue
speak volumes
Examples of 'speak' in a sentence
speak
Here is the language real people speak.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We must make the gospel speak to our day.
Christianity Today (2000)
My mother spoke about me as her "little angel".
French, Barbara Coping with Bulimia (1987)
She is still not really speaking to me.
The Sun (2014)
He spoke out after talks with oil giants aimed at lowering the price of fuel.
The Sun (2008)
We had spoken about something like this happening only recently.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There are a few who speak out about the risks to future generations.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He speaks their language with a fluency matched only by the texture of his strokes.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
At that time houses still spoke with local accents.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This must surely speak of something significant.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Many athletes have spoken about the physical demands that training makes on them.
The Sun (2012)
We speak to people in the same way.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Make sure in both instances you do not speak to or make eye contact with the dog.
Jan Fennell, Foreword by Monty Roberts THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)
How are they supposed to make it in the outside world if they leave school not knowing how to speak properly?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He understands that people are different, knows how to speak to each player individually.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She burst into tears and said she hadn't spoken to her mother for three years.
The Sun (2008)
Generally speaking, people walking together talk together.
O'Keeffe, John Your One Week Way to Mind-Fitness (1994)
She says: 'I speak up at work and have a voice.
The Sun (2013)
Who have you been speaking to who says I'm neurotic?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
speak
British English: speak /spiːk/ VERB
When you speak, you use your voice in order to say something.
He tried to speak, but she interrupted him.
Then I spoke these words.
American English: speak
Arabic: يَتَكَلَّمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: falar
Chinese: 发言
Croatian: govoriti
Czech: mluvit
Danish: tale
Dutch: spreken
European Spanish: hablar
Finnish: puhua
French: parler
German: sprechen
Greek: μιλώ
Italian: parlare
Japanese: 話す
Korean: 말하다
Norwegian: snakke
Polish: powiedzieć
European Portuguese: falar
Romanian: a vorbi
Russian: говорить
Latin American Spanish: hablar
Swedish: tala
Thai: พูด
Turkish: konuşmak
Ukrainian: говорити
Vietnamese: nói
All related terms of 'speak'
speak for
to speak as a representative of (other people)
speak out
If you speak out against something or in favour of something, you say publicly that you think it is bad or good.
speak to
to address (a person)
speak up
If you speak up , you say something, especially to defend a person or protest about something, rather than just saying nothing.
speak-easy
a place where alcoholic drinks are sold illegally, esp. such a place in the U.S. during Prohibition
speak volumes
to reveal or imply a lot about a situation
so to speak
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 .
to speak of
Nothing to speak of means ' hardly anything' or 'only unimportant things'.
speak well for
to say or indicate something favorable about
not to speak of
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.
speak for itself
to be so evident that no further comment is necessary
speak for yourself
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.
speak in tongues
to engage in glossolalia
speak one's mind
to express one's opinions frankly and plainly
speak one's piece
to vent one's views or opinions
to speak volumes
If something such as an action speaks volumes about a person or thing, it gives you a lot of information about them.
speak of the devil
said when someone you have just been talking about arrives unexpectedly
to speak your mind
If you speak your mind , you say firmly and honestly what you think about a situation , even if this may offend or upset people.
speak the same language
to communicate with understanding because of common background , values, etc
speak with forked tongue
to lie or deliberately mislead people
talk/speak of the devil
People say speak of the devil , or in British English talk of the devil , if someone they have just been talking about appears unexpectedly.
actions speak louder than words
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 .
talk of the devil!
used when an absent person who has been the subject of conversation appears
speak out of turn/talk out of turn
If you speak out of turn or talk out of turn , you say something that you do not have the right or authority to say.
speak the same (or someone's) language
to have the same beliefs , attitudes , etc. (as another)
speak well/highly of sb to speak ill of someone
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.
to speak well of someone to speak highly of someone to speak ill of someone
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.
Chinese translation of 'speak'
speak
(spiːk)
Word forms:ptspoke
Word forms:ppspoken
vt
[language]讲(講) (jiǎng)
⇒ They both spoke English.他们两个都讲英语。 (Tāmen liǎng gè dōu jiǎng Yīngyǔ.)
to speak the truth说(說)实(實)话(話) (shuō shíhuà)
vi
讲(講)话(話) (jiǎnghuà)
⇒ Simon opened his mouth to speak.西蒙开口讲话了。 (Xīméng kāikǒu jiǎnghuà le.)
(= make a speech) 发表演说(說) (fābiǎo yǎnshuō)
⇒ The Prime Minister spoke to the nation on television.总理在电视上向全国人民作演说。 (Zǒnglǐ zài diànshì shang xiàng quánguó rénmín zuò yǎnshuō.)
they're not speaking他们(們)不再讲(講)话(話)了 (tāmen bùzài jiǎnghuà le)
she's not speaking to me她不再和我讲(講)话(話)了 (tā bùzài hé wǒ jiǎnghuà le)
to speak of or about sb/sth提到某人/某事 (tídào mǒurén/mǒushì)
to speak to sb about sth和某人谈(談)某事 (hé mǒurén tán mǒushì)
to speak well or highly of sb赞(讚)扬(揚)某人 (zànyáng mǒurén)
to speak ill of sb说(說)某人的坏(壞)话(話) (shuō mǒurén de huàihuà)
no food/money to speak of不值一提的食物/金钱(錢) (bù zhí yī tí de shíwù/jīnqián)
speaking as a parent/teacher, ... 作为(為)家长(長)/老师(師)来(來)说(說) ... (zuòwéi jiāzhǎng/lǎoshī lái shuō ... )
All related terms of 'speak'
speak up
▶ speak up! 大声(聲)点(點)儿(兒)！ dà shēng diǎnr!
speak for
( other people ) 代表 ... 讲(講)话(話) dàibiǎo ... jiǎnghuà ⇒ I think I can speak for everyone here when I express my sincere apologies. → 我想我能够代表这里的所有人表示由衷的歉意。 Wǒ xiǎng wǒ nénggòu dàibiǎo zhèlǐ de suǒyǒurén biǎoshì yóuzhōng de qiànyì.