speak 
/ˈspi:k/ verb
speaks; spoke /ˈspi:k/ verb /ˈspoʊk/; spo·ken /ˈspoʊkən/; speak·ing 1 a [no obj] : to say words in order to express your thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc., to someone : to talk to someone
▪ 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. — often + to ▪ We need to speak to our son's teacher about his grades. ▪ He spoke to the police through an interpreter. ▪ They spoke to each other in a whisper. — often + with in U.S. English ▪ The coach refused to speak with the reporters. ▪ May I speak with you privately? ▪ I spoke with him on the phone yesterday. — often used at the beginning of telephone conversations ▪ “Hello. May I speak to Noah?” “Speaking.” [=I am Noah] ▪ “Hello. This is Noah speaking.”
b [no obj] : to talk about a particular subject or person — often + about or of ▪ She spoke intelligently about the current political situation. ▪ He still speaks of his ex-wife with affection. ▪ The company is doing very well, financially speaking. [=is doing very well financially]
c [no obj] : to say words to express yourself in a particular way
▪ When I said you were my best friend, I was speaking sincerely. ▪ Speaking personally, I don't think you should take the job. [=my personal opinion is that you should not take the job] ▪ Generally speaking, people like her as a leader. [=people in general like her as a leader] ▪ The restaurant isn't too expensive, comparatively/relatively speaking. [=when compared to other restaurants] ▪ Speaking as a student (myself), I'm concerned about the alarming increase in school violence.
d [+ obj] : to say (something) to someone
▪ She must be speaking the truth. ▪ Not a word was spoken between them the whole time. ▪ Don't be afraid to speak your mind. [=say what you think] ▪ Do not speak a word of this to anyone else. [=do not tell anyone else anything about this] 2 : to use your voice to say words [no obj] ▪ He has laryngitis and can't speak. ▪ You're speaking too fast/loudly. ▪ She speaks with a Southern accent. ▪ I was so surprised I could hardly speak. ▪ She got a speaking part/role in the play. [=she got a part/role for which she says words] ▪ He has a very deep speaking voice. [=his voice is very deep when he speaks] [+ obj] ▪ The singer speaks the last verse instead of singing it. 3 [no obj] : to be willing to talk to someone after having a disagreement, fight, etc.
▪ They haven't spoken since the argument two years ago. ▪ Are they still not speaking? ▪ He apologized, so I'm speaking with/to him again. ▪ They're not on speaking terms. [=they're not friendly and do not speak to each other] 4 [+ obj] : to use (a particular language) to talk to someone
▪ He can speak German and French. ▪ English is widely spoken in many parts of the world. ▪ We didn't know what language they were speaking. ▪ the Spanish-speaking population/world ▪ I can't speak a word of French. [=I do not know any French] 5 [no obj] : to talk about something formally to a group of people : to make or give a speech
▪ She was asked to speak at the conference. ▪ He has a talent for speaking to large audiences. ▪ While most of the senators spoke against tax increases, one senator spoke in favor of them. ▪ I have a speaking engagement [=I will be giving a speech] this evening. — see also public speaking
▪ 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. — often + to ▪ We need to speak to our son's teacher about his grades. ▪ He spoke to the police through an interpreter. ▪ They spoke to each other in a whisper. — often + with in U.S. English ▪ The coach refused to speak with the reporters. ▪ May I speak with you privately? ▪ I spoke with him on the phone yesterday. — often used at the beginning of telephone conversations ▪ “Hello. May I speak to Noah?” “Speaking.” [=I am Noah] ▪ “Hello. This is Noah speaking.”
b [no obj] : to talk about a particular subject or person — often + about or of ▪ She spoke intelligently about the current political situation. ▪ He still speaks of his ex-wife with affection. ▪ The company is doing very well, financially speaking. [=is doing very well financially]
c [no obj] : to say words to express yourself in a particular way
▪ When I said you were my best friend, I was speaking sincerely. ▪ Speaking personally, I don't think you should take the job. [=my personal opinion is that you should not take the job] ▪ Generally speaking, people like her as a leader. [=people in general like her as a leader] ▪ The restaurant isn't too expensive, comparatively/relatively speaking. [=when compared to other restaurants] ▪ Speaking as a student (myself), I'm concerned about the alarming increase in school violence.
d [+ obj] : to say (something) to someone
▪ She must be speaking the truth. ▪ Not a word was spoken between them the whole time. ▪ Don't be afraid to speak your mind. [=say what you think] ▪ Do not speak a word of this to anyone else. [=do not tell anyone else anything about this]
▪ They haven't spoken since the argument two years ago. ▪ Are they still not speaking? ▪ He apologized, so I'm speaking with/to him again. ▪ They're not on speaking terms. [=they're not friendly and do not speak to each other]
▪ He can speak German and French. ▪ English is widely spoken in many parts of the world. ▪ We didn't know what language they were speaking. ▪ the Spanish-speaking population/world ▪ I can't speak a word of French. [=I do not know any French]
▪ She was asked to speak at the conference. ▪ He has a talent for speaking to large audiences. ▪ While most of the senators spoke against tax increases, one senator spoke in favor of them. ▪ I have a speaking engagement [=I will be giving a speech] this evening. — see also public speaking
actions speak louder than words — see action
in a manner of speaking — see manner
so to speak
— used to indicate that you are using words in an unusual or figurative way rather than a literal way ▪ We need to be all on the same wavelength, so to speak.
speak for [phrasal verb] 1 speak for (someone) : to express the thoughts or opinions of (someone)
▪ They chose him to speak for the group. ▪ Speaking only for myself, I'm against the plan. [=I'm only expressing my own opinion when I say that I'm against the plan] ▪ “We don't want any dessert.” “Speak for yourself. I want some.” — often used figuratively ▪ I have nothing more to say. The facts speak for themselves. [=the facts clearly show what is true] 2 speak for (something or someone) chiefly US : to show that (something or someone) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.
▪ It speaks well for [=says a lot for] the company that it donates so much money to local charities. ▪ Her calm reaction to the crisis speaks well for her ability to perform under pressure. ▪ The test results speak poorly for our school system. 3 be spoken for : to not be available because of already being claimed by someone else or in a relationship with someone else
▪ I'm sorry. This seat is spoken for. ▪ I can't go out with you; I'm already spoken for.
▪ They chose him to speak for the group. ▪ Speaking only for myself, I'm against the plan. [=I'm only expressing my own opinion when I say that I'm against the plan] ▪ “We don't want any dessert.” “Speak for yourself. I want some.” — often used figuratively ▪ I have nothing more to say. The facts speak for themselves. [=the facts clearly show what is true]
▪ It speaks well for [=says a lot for] the company that it donates so much money to local charities. ▪ Her calm reaction to the crisis speaks well for her ability to perform under pressure. ▪ The test results speak poorly for our school system.
▪ I'm sorry. This seat is spoken for. ▪ I can't go out with you; I'm already spoken for.
speak of [phrasal verb] 1 speak of (someone or something) : to talk or write about (someone or something) : to mention (a subject) in speech or writing
▪ Speaking of Jill, where is she? ▪ It was the first time she spoke of going to law school. ▪ She never speaks of her suffering during the war. ▪ In the letter, he spoke of feeling ill. 2 speak of (something) : to indicate or suggest (something)
▪ His diaries speak of a troubled mind. [=they show that he had a troubled mind] 3 speak of (someone or something) a : to talk about (someone or something) in a specified way
▪ He spoke well/highly/favorably of both job candidates.
b chiefly US : to show that (someone or something) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.
▪ The continued success of the business speaks well of their judgment. [=shows that their judgment is good] ▪ Her bad behavior speaks poorly of her upbringing.
▪ Speaking of Jill, where is she? ▪ It was the first time she spoke of going to law school. ▪ She never speaks of her suffering during the war. ▪ In the letter, he spoke of feeling ill.
▪ His diaries speak of a troubled mind. [=they show that he had a troubled mind]
▪ He spoke well/highly/favorably of both job candidates.
b chiefly US : to show that (someone or something) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.
▪ The continued success of the business speaks well of their judgment. [=shows that their judgment is good] ▪ Her bad behavior speaks poorly of her upbringing.
speak of the devil — see devil
speak out [phrasal verb]
: to speak freely and confidently about something : to express an opinion in an open way
▪ She is never afraid to speak out on controversial issues. — often + against ▪ Protesters spoke out against the decision.
▪ She is never afraid to speak out on controversial issues. — often + against ▪ Protesters spoke out against the decision.
speak the same language — see language
speak up [phrasal verb] 1 : to speak loudly and clearly
▪ “Speak up. I can't hear you.” 2 : to speak at a meeting, in a class, etc.
▪ Seeing that no one was going to answer the teacher's question, he decided to speak up. 3 : to speak freely and confidently about something : to express an opinion openly
▪ Several of us decided to speak up about our working conditions. — often + for ▪ She is always ready to speak up for animal rights.
▪ “Speak up. I can't hear you.”
▪ Seeing that no one was going to answer the teacher's question, he decided to speak up.
▪ Several of us decided to speak up about our working conditions. — often + for ▪ She is always ready to speak up for animal rights.
speak volumes — see volume
speak your mind — see 1mind
to speak of
: worth mentioning or noticing
▪ There was no progress to speak of.
▪ There was no progress to speak of.
synonyms speak and talk mean to express yourself by saying words. speak refers to anything that is said, whether it is understood or not and whether it is heard or not.
▪ What language are they speaking? ▪ She spoke to the class. talk suggests that there is a listener who understands what is said and often that both people do some speaking. ▪ Do you have time to talk? ▪ We talked about school.
▪ What language are they speaking? ▪ She spoke to the class. talk suggests that there is a listener who understands what is said and often that both people do some speaking. ▪ Do you have time to talk? ▪ We talked about school.
